led
his party along this path, and after traversing it for less than a
hundred yards, came upon a large barracoon, very solidly and
substantially built, and of dimensions sufficient to accommodate fully a
thousand slaves; there were also kitchens for the preparation of the
slaves' food, tanks for the collection of fresh water, several large
thatched huts that looked as if they were for the accommodation of the
traders, a large store building, and, in short, everything necessary to
complete an important slave-trading establishment. It was evident that
it had been very hurriedly abandoned only a few hours previously; but a
strict and prolonged search failed to reveal the whereabouts of any of
its late occupants; Ryan had therefore first emptied the water-tanks,
and had then set fire to the whole establishment, remaining until the
flames had taken a strong hold upon the several buildings, when he had
retired without molestation.

Meanwhile, by the captain's orders, the hatches had been removed on
board the three prizes, and the condition of the unfortunate prisoners
looked to. I shall never forget the moment when the first hatch was
taken off on board the brig; a thick cloud of steam slowly rose up
through the opening, and the foetid, musky odour, of which I have
already spoken, at once became so pungent and overpowering that the men
who were engaged upon the operation of opening the hatchways were fairly
driven away from their work for the moment, and until the strength of
the stench had been to some extent ameliorated by the fresh air that
immediately poured down into the densely-packed hold. What the relief
of that whiff of fresh air must have been to the unhappy blacks can only
be faintly imagined; but that it was ineffably grateful to them was
evidenced by the deep murmur of delight, and the loud, long-drawn
inspiration of the breath that swept from end to end of the hold the
moment that the hatch was withdrawn, as well as by the upward glance of
gratitude that instantly greeted us from the upturned eyes of those who
were placed nearest the hatchway! But what a sight that hold presented
when in the course of a few minutes the hatches were all removed, and
the blessed light of heaven and the sweet, pure air of the early morning
had gained free access to its sweltering occupants, dispersing the
poisonous fumes which they had been condemned to breathe from the moment
when the approach of our boats had been first noti