a chain. In this, at intervals of about every
two feet, was a large neck-link, which, being placed round the necks of
the slaves, was padlocked. When I looked in, the barracoon contained
only about twenty slaves. Some of them were fine athletic looking men,
and were shackled three together, the strongest being placed between two
others, and heavily ironed. The walls of the building were about six
feet in height, and between them and the roof was an opening of about
four feet to allow the free circulation of air. The floor was planked,
not, as I found, from any regard for the comfort of the slaves, but
because a small insect, a species of chigoe, which is in the soil, might
get into the flesh of the poor creatures, and produce a disease which
might ultimately kill them. Half a dozen armed men, two being
mulattoes, the others blacks, were guarding the barracoon and watching
the slaves, so that any attempt to free themselves from their irons was
impossible. These slaves were the property of a dealer with whom the
captain now commenced bargaining. As there was time to spare, he chose
to select each one separately, lest any sick or injured people might be
forced upon him, as is often the case where slaves are shipped in a
hurry. He and the trader stood at a dignified distance, while their
subordinates carried on the active part of the business, a half naked
black acting for the trader, while the captain was represented by a
mulatto, who felt the arms and legs of each man, and struck him on the
chest and back to ascertain that he was sound in wind, before he
consented to pay over his price in goods. Another slave was then
summoned, and, if found satisfactory, passed at a fixed price; but
otherwise, a less sum was offered, or the slave was sent back to await
the arrival of some other slaver likely to be less particular. Women
and children were treated in the same way, but there were comparatively
few of them in the lot now offered for sale.

I had to return on board the "Vulture" to obtain some medicines for our
wounded men, and also to get some articles belonging to Harry and myself
which we had left on board. Great alterations had taken place in the
fitting of the ship between decks. Huge casks called _leaguers_ had
been placed in the hold; in these were stowed the provisions, wood for
fuel, and other stores; above them was fitted a slave-deck, between
which and the upper deck there was a space of about four fee