s, neatly dressed
in shirts and trousers, and having all served on board men-of-war or in
merchant vessels, spoke a little English. They had been hired by the
captain's agent on shore; and as their wages had been settled, and they
knew the duties they were required to perform, they went to work at once
under their head man, who had been appointed to act as boatswain, and
seemed inclined to be orderly and obedient. Besides the Krumen there
were, as I have before said, several other black seamen engaged, who had
been mostly recaptured slaves, and had afterwards entered on board
men-of-war or merchant vessels touching at Sierra Leone. I was struck
with the manner of one of them, a fine active man, as I, now the only
representative of the "Chieftain's" officers and crew, stood near the
gangway to receive them. Touching his hat in a respectful manner, he
asked after Captain Willis. "He know me, Paul Balingo. I sail once
with him some time ago. He kind man, so I come again." I told him that
the captain was rather unwell. He had charged me not to let the blacks
fancy that he had the fever. I added, that I was sure he would be glad
to see him in the cabin.

"I go when you tell I come on board," answered Paul. "Sorry to hear him
ill."

"Oh, he says its nothing," I observed, "and as soon as the tide serves
we are to go down the river, and put to sea."

I made this remark in obedience to the captain's instructions. I now
gave directions to the black boatswain to get the cargo stowed without
delay.

The captain was much pleased to hear that Paul Balingo had joined the
vessel, and said he would see him at once. "I remember him well," he
observed, "a good steady fellow."

I told Paul to come down, and he received a friendly welcome. I then
reminded the captain that there was another duty to be performed. It
was to bury the men who had died during the night. This was beyond the
strength of those who still survived.

"I see to it, sir," said Paul.

"The sooner the better then," observed the captain. "And when you
return we will trip the anchor, if there is wind enough to help us
along."

Four bodies were lowered into the canoe, and Paul and some of his
companions took them on shore. He had fastened them up in canvas, for
there was no time to make coffins; indeed, the carpenter was among them.
I should like to have accompanied him to pay the last mark of respect I
could to the poor fellows, but there were to