A look-out was still kept for slavers
which, having hugged the Madagascar shore, might be steering for the
Gulf of Persia. All hands, from the commander downwards, were eager to
arrive at their destination, and to land their cargo of blacks.
Everything possible was done to keep the poor creatures in health, but
notwithstanding this, several died on the voyage every day. Part of the
deck was cleared, and they were encouraged to dance and sing, and amuse
themselves after their own fashion. At first, when they stood up, they
appeared scarcely able to move, but in a short time, their spirits
rising, they began to snap their fingers, bend their bodies, and shuffle
round and round; then to clap their hands and shout and laugh as if all
thoughts of the miseries they had suffered had vanished. To the intense
satisfaction of all on board, the corvette at length, just as the sun
was setting, came in sight across the purple ocean of the green,
foliage-clad islands, in a setting of white sand, surrounded by coral
reefs, amid which she had carefully to pick her way. At some distance
rose the lofty mountains of the principal island of Mahd, while on
either hand were tree-fringed islets, backed by others far-off, blue and
indistinct.

The pilot, coming off, brought the ship to an anchorage a considerable
distance from the town. Anxious as Murray was to get the slaves on
shore, it was impossible to do so that night. Next morning the
disembarkation commenced. Those who wished it were allowed to engage
themselves either as domestic or agricultural servants to the
inhabitants, while the rest were placed on a island where they might
erect huts and cultivate the ground for their own advantage. Pango and
Bango had their choice of landing or remaining on board, but they
preferred continuing in the ship among the crew, whose goodwill they had
secured by their good-humour and willingness to oblige.

All hands luxuriated in the endless variety of fruits brought off by the
boats which were quickly alongside; oranges, plantains, bananas,
alligator-pears, limes, pineapples, and numberless others, including the
bread-fruit; and on going on shore, as some compensation for the
horrible odours they had lately inhaled, they enjoyed the scent of the
countless beautiful flowers which grew not only in every garden, but
lined the roadside and covered the slopes of the hills.

Though the islands belong to England, nearly all the inhabitants
app