e selected for the service. As soon as they had shoved off, I
called the other four men on the forecastle, and told them what I had
overheard. They were very much astonished, for they had had no idea
that there was any thing of the kind going forward. I imparted to them
all my plans, and they agreed to support me in every thing--indeed,
they were all brave men, and would have, if I had acceded to it,
attempted to master and overpower the second mate and the others, and
make sail in the night; but this I would not permit, as there was a
great risk. They perfectly agreed with me that it was no use
acquainting the captain, and that all we had to do was to get rid of
these men, and carry the vessel home how we could. How that was to be
done was the point at issue. One thing was certain, that it was
necessary to leave the bay that night, or it would be too late.
Fortunately, there was always a light breeze during the night, and the
nights were dark, for there was no moon till three o'clock in the
morning, by which time we could have gained the offing, and then we
might laugh at the slaver, as we were lighter in our heels. The boat
came off with the water about noon, and the men went to dinner. The
captain had agreed to dine with the governor, and I had been asked to
accompany him. It was to be our farewell dinner, as we were to sail
the next morning. I had been cogitating a long while to find out how
to get rid of these fellows, when at last I determined that I would go
on shore with the captain, and propose a plan to the governor. His
knowledge of what was about to be attempted could do no harm, and I
thought he would help us; so I went into the boat, and when we landed
I told the men what I intended to do. As soon as I arrived at the
governor's, I took an opportunity, while the captain was reading a
book, to request a few moments' conversation, and I then informed the
governor of the conspiracy which was afloat, and when I had so done, I
pointed out to him the propriety of saying nothing to the captain
until all was safe, and proposed my plan to him, which he immediately
acceded to. When he returned to where the captain was still reading,
he told him that he had a quantity of gold-dust and other valuables,
which he wished to send to England by his ship; but that he did not
wish to do it openly, as it was supposed that he did not traffic, and
that if the captain would send his long-boat on shore after dark, he
would send all