ed in sight. She
approached the spot. Some of the negroes who had broken loose made
signs to notify that human beings were still alive on board. The storm
had much abated; a boat was lowered and came close to the wreck. When
they saw that no white men were on board, did they pull away and leave
us to our fate? No; they hailed us as fellow-creatures, and told us to
calm our alarms, and that they would do their best to save us. I was
there--a slave--I who had been a chief in my own country! I asked how
many the boat would hold, and as many, about a dozen, I allowed to enter
her at a time. Another boat from the ship soon came to our assistance,
and one remained uninjured on board the wreck. We launched her, and
many of the Africans being able to paddle, helped to carry her people to
the ship. Thus all who remained alive on board the wreck were saved.
The ship sailed from the spot and approached the land. I asked the
brave captain how he would dispose of us. Some of the people believed
that he would carry us into a port, and there sell us as slaves. He
looked at me hard. `I am no slave-dealer,' he exclaimed. `Men have
called me what they deem worse, but that matters not. I should obtain a
large price for you all, and steep my soul in as black a sin as ever
stained our human nature. No; I will land you on yonder coast, far from
the habitations of men. There fruit, and roots, and numberless
productions of kind Nature will amply supply you with food. There you
may be free. I cannot take you back to your own country. I have no
other means of helping you.' The generous captain was as good as his
word--we were landed in safety ere the sun set; and more than that, he
supplied us with such food as he could spare to strengthen us for our
journey inland to the spot he advised us to seek, where we might remain
in safety. Yes, my friends; there is the man who did this noble deed--
there is the man whom you were, in your blindness, about so cruelly to
slay!"

While the stranger was speaking, I recognised in him the tall negro who
had come on board the brig, on my first voyage, with the mysterious old
man, whom I supposed to be Captain Ralph. As soon as he stepped forward
I felt almost certain that our lives would be spared; but still I did
not let go the chief's legs. He did not often get them so thoroughly
pinched, I suspect.

"I have yet more to tell you," continued the tall negro. "The noble
deed which tha