every
convenience for carrying on their nefarious trade. I am told that
within the last six months this spot, known only to a select few, has
been frequently visited, and large numbers of slaves have been carried
away from it; its natural characteristics rendering it especially
suitable for the traffic. For instance, it would appear that this
creek, like most of the others that discharge into the Congo, and like
the African rivers generally, has its own little bar at its mouth, upon
which there is only one and three-quarter fathoms of water, and is
therefore unapproachable by any of the men-o'-war on the station--
excepting perhaps the _Barracouta_, and she is away cruising just now--
while the character of the banks is such as to afford every facility for
a galling and continuous fire upon a flotilla of boats advancing up the
creek. I have therefore thought that the breaking up and destruction of
this slave-trading station would be a piece of work admirably suited to
the _Felicidad_ and her gallant crew"--Ryan and I simultaneously bowed
our appreciation of the compliment--"because it is especially a case
wherein valour and discretion must go hand-in-hand, the service being of
an especially hazardous nature; and I feel that in no one are the two
qualities that I have mentioned more admirably combined than in the
person of Captain Ryan."

Ryan bowed again, and remarked--

"I am obliged for your Excellency's good opinion of me; and still more
so for the information that you have been good enough to give us
to-night. I have been very fortunate, so far, in the schooner, and I
suppose I may reckon upon my promotion as certain; but I am eager to
have further opportunities of distinguishing myself, and if we can only
be lucky enough to find two or three slavers up that creek, and to
capture them, it would afford me just the opportunity that I require. I
shall sail to-morrow, and shall hope to be back here again in a month or
six weeks, with two or three prizes in company, and the assurance that
the establishment in question is completely destroyed."

We sat a few minutes longer, drank a final glass of wine, and then took
our leave and walked down to the schooner together, Ryan having
determined to sleep on board her that night.

We sailed from Sierra Leone on the following day, as Ryan had resolved
we should; but, as usually happens when matters are hurried, we met with
an endless succession of petty delays at the las