, on being removed, were immediately thrown overboard as
utterly unfit for further use. In the meantime, the cook had been busy
in the galley boiling beans and rice, some of which had been found in
the dhow, though the ship had a quantity for such emergencies. The next
operation was to clothe the poor blacks, for which purpose both officers
and men ransacked their wardrobes. Sheets, tablecloths, towels,
bed-curtains, shirts, and flannels, were willingly brought forth and put
over their naked bodies as they came out from under the hose.

By the time they were all washed, the cook announced that the food was
ready, and they were made to sit down in circles of twenty on the deck,
when the men told off for the purpose carried round the bowls, which
were placed in the centre of each ring. The degraded state to which
they had been reduced was now more fully exhibited, for, instead of
gratefully receiving the food, they rushed at it much as a pack of
hungry dogs would have done, scratching, crying, and striking at each
other, for fear that their neighbours might get a larger share than
themselves. It was humiliating to the lookers-on to see beings with
immortal souls thus acting the part of wild beasts; and yet these very
beings were capable of receiving the truths of the gospel, and it might
be hoped that even now many might have the opportunity of being raised
to a state much superior to that from which they had fallen.

In spite of the exhortations of the seamen to the poor creatures to be
quiet, they continued their shrieks and cries, each thrusting his or her
hand into the dish to seize as large a portion as it would hold, and
then to cram it into the mouth much after the fashion of a monkey.
Indeed, as Nat Bolus remarked, "they looked for all the world like an
assemblage of huge baboons."

The smaller children, who were too weak to feed themselves, were
committed to the care of the seamen; and a dozen or more hardy tars were
to be seen with basins and spoons in their hands, and little children on
their knees, ladling the food down their throats, till the doctor had to
interfere to save the infants from being killed from repletion. The
worst cases had been removed to the sick-bay, where every care was
bestowed on them both by the surgeon and officers, who produced
preserved milk, wine and spirits, and various delicacies which might
assist in restoring almost exhausted nature. Many were too far gone to
exhibit any