ish slaver, which had been
captured, and had arrived the evening before. The slaves were still on
board, waiting the orders of the governor. They had been on deck about
ten minutes, when three or four men, with large panama straw hats on
their heads, and long rattans in their hands, jumped upon the gunnel,
and in a few seconds drove them all down below. I then turned round,
and observed a black woman who had just climbed up the side of the
frigate. O'Brien was on deck, and she walked up to him in the most
consequential manner.

"How do you do, sar? Very happy you come back again," said she to
O'Brien.

"I'm very well, I thank you, ma'am," replied O'Brien, "and I hope to go
back the same; but never having put my foot into this bay before, you
have the advantage of me."

"Nebber here before, so help me Gad! me tink I know you--me tink I
recollect your handsome face--I Lady Rodney, sar. Ah, piccaninny
buccra! how you do?" said she turning round to me. "Me hope to hab the
honour to wash for you, sar," curtsying to O'Brien.

"What do you charge in this place?"

"All the same price, one bit a piece."

"What do you call a bit?" inquired I.

"A bit, lilly massa?--what you call um _bit_? Dem four _sharp shins_ to
a pictareen."

Our deck was now enlivened by several army officers, besides gentlemen
residents, who came off to hear the news. Invitations to the mess and
to the houses of the gentlemen followed, and as they departed, Mr
Falcon returned on board. He told O'Brien and the other officers, that
the admiral and squadron were expected in a few days, and that we were
to remain in Carlisle Bay, and refit immediately.

But although the fright about the yellow fever had considerably subsided
in our breasts, the remembrance that our poor captain was lying dead in
the cabin was constantly obtruding. All that night the carpenters were
up making his coffin, for he was to be buried the next day. The body is
never allowed to remain many hours unburied in the tropical climates,
where putrefaction is so rapid. The following morning the men were up
at daylight, washing the decks and putting the ship in order; they
worked willingly, and yet with a silent decorum which showed what their
feelings were. Never were the decks better cleaned, never were the
ropes more carefully flemished down; the hammocks were stowed in their
white cloths, the yards carefully squared, and the ropes hauled taut.
At eight o'clock the co