graceful cocoa-nut trees,
while further inland appeared, at distant intervals, that giant monarch
of the tropical forest, the silk cotton tree, stretching its mighty
limbs upwards towards the sky, and far and wide around. Such was my
first view of the African coast.

"Well, what do you think of it?" asked Captain Willis.

"It looks better than I expected," I said. "But I don't see how we are
ever to reach it, much less carry on any trade with the people. How can
we possibly send any goods on shore?"

"You will see presently," he answered. "We have hoisted our trading
signal, and before long we shall have plenty of dealers along side
unless some other vessel has been before us; if so, we may have to wait
some days till the black merchants can bring more goods down from the
interior. The people about here are imbued with the very spirit of
commerce. They understand too how to make a sharp bargain. We have to
be wide awake, or, naked savages as they are, they will contrive to
outwit us."

Our various assortments of cotton and other goods had been got up from
the hold ready for the expected trade. The captain had also taken out
from his strong box a supply of sovereigns and Spanish dollars, should
coin be demanded, though he relied chiefly on the more advantageous
proceeding of barter.

After standing off and on the coast for some hours, we perceived several
large canoes about to be launched. On either side of each canoe stood a
dozen or fifteen men, holding to the gunwale with one hand, and carrying
a paddle in the other. At a signal from their head man the canoe was
hurried into the foaming surf; but, instead of getting in, they swam by
her side, guiding her course, until the first heavy swell was past, then
they threw themselves simultaneously into her, and began to paddle with
might and main till they got beyond the outer swell, and on they came,
shouting with satisfaction at the success of their enterprise. Two got
off without accident; but three others, when in the very midst of the
breakers, were swamped, and I thought that their crews, and, at all
events, their cargoes, would be lost. But no such thing. As I watched
them through the glass I saw that they were all holding on to the
gunwale, shoving her from side to side, until the water was thrown out,
when in they got again, and began to gather up numerous articles
floating around them. This accomplished, off they came as if nothing
had happened