ssed the
Bay of Biscay, and were in more genial latitudes; and, after a rapid
run of about four weeks, I found myself nearly in the latitude given
to us of the river where the Amy was at anchor. I then hauled in for
the shore, which was very low, and required being approached with
caution. We saw some towering palmtrees at sunset, and then we hove
to; the next day we again stood in, and having ascertained our exact
latitude at noon, we found ourselves about four miles to the northward
of the river's mouth. We shaped a course, and in two hours I made out
the marks given for our guidance in the rough sketch of Captain
Irving, and thus satisfied that I was right, ran directly for the
mouth of the river. Captain Irving was correct in saying it was
difficult, for it was not until we were within a mile that we could
find any opening; but at last we did, and at the same time perceived
the mast of two vessels at some distance up the river. We stood in,
and found that there was no bar at the river mouth, which was a very
unusual circumstance on this coast. The soundings were gradual, and in
an hour afterwards we anchored between the Amy and a fine schooner
under British colours. Captain Irving recognized the Sparrow-Hawk, and
immediately came on board. After the usual salutations, he told me
that his vessel was half-laden, but that he waited for the articles he
had sent for to enable him to complete his cargo. I told him that I
had them on board, and he should have them as soon as he sent his
boats. He stated that no vessels, except those engaged in the
slave-trade, had ever come into this river, and that they only brought
the cloth and other articles usual in the trade; but that his assorted
cargo had astonished the people, and they were wild to possess things
which they had never before seen. They had offered slaves in
quantities, but finding that he would not take them in exchange, they
had now brought down ivory and gold-dust. He told me how glad he was
that I had come, as the river was very sickly, and was becoming more
and more so every day; that out of twelve men he had already four down
with fever.

I inquired of him what that vessel was on the other side of us. He
replied it was a Liverpool slave-trader, and that the captain appeared
to be a very good sort of man; that he never indulged in liquor, nor
was given to profane language.

A few minutes afterwards the captain of the slaver came on board to
pay his respects,