o myself,
I began to consider what would be best to be done. I knew the captain
to be a very timorous man, and I was afraid to trust him with the
secret, as I thought he would be certain to let the men know by his
conduct that they were discovered, and their plans known. The four men
who were prisoners with me I knew that I could confide in. This was
the Tuesday night, and we proposed sailing on the Thursday. Now we had
no means of defence on board, except one small gun, which was
honeycombed and nearly useless. It did very well to make a signal
with, but had it been loaded with ball, I believe it would have burst
immediately. It is true that we had muskets and cutlasses, but what
use would they have been against such a force as would be opposed, and
two-thirds of our men mutineers. Of course we must have been
immediately overpowered.

That the slavers intended to take possession of their own vessel
before they took ours, I had no doubt. It is true that we outsailed
them when we had a breeze, but the bay was usually becalmed, and it
was not till a vessel had got well into the offing that she obtained a
breeze, and there was no doubt but that they would take the
opportunity of boarding us when we were moving slowly through the
water, and a boat might easily come up with us. The slaver had stated
his intention of sailing immediately to procure her cargo elsewhere,
and if she got under weigh at the same time that we did, no suspicion
would be created. To apply for protection to the governor would be
useless--he could not protect us after we were clear of the bay.
Indeed, if it were known that we had so done, it would probably only
precipitate the affair, and we should be taken possession of while at
anchor, for the shot from the fort would hardly reach us. It was,
therefore, only by stratagem that we could escape from the clutches of
these miscreants. Again, allowing that we were to get clear of the
slavers, we were still in an awkward position, for, supposing the
captain to be of any use, we should still only be six men against
nine, and we might be overpowered by our own crew, who were determined
and powerful men.

All night I lay on my bed reflecting upon what ought to be done, and
at last I made up my mind.

The next morning I went on deck, complaining very much, but stating
that the fever had left me. The long-boat was sent on shore for more
water, and I took care that the second mate and eight men should be
thos