stowage still more so. It was
a different affair from taking on board a cargo of heavy barrels and
boxes. The living "bales" moved of their own accord, or were forced to
move, if they did not, and there was nothing further required than to
march them from the barracoon to the bank, then row them to the vessel,
hurry them over the side, and huddle them down the hatch to the
"'tweendecks" below. The males and females were put into different
compartments, though this was not done out of any regard to decency, but
merely for convenience. When "stowed" thus they would be easier managed
upon the passage--such was the experience of the slave-traders. The
bulk-head that separated them was very slight, and they could
communicate through it with each other.

With the women were stowed all the younger slaves, both girls and boys,
and there were many children, poor little "piccaninnies," jet-black, and
naked as when born. Indeed, most of the whole crowd were naked, both
men and women. Some of the latter had a simple skirt of cotton, or
plaited palm-leaves hanging around them, and a few of the men had a
piece of coarse cloth about their thighs, but many were without even
this apology for a garment. Whatever they may have worn in their native
place had been taken from them. No doubt the followers of King Dingo,
when making them captives, had robbed them also of their scant wardrobe.
The men were manacled together in twos, and sometimes three and four in
a group. This was to prevent any attempt at escape, and was the work of
his majesty. Only a few of the women wore chains; most likely they were
those who possessed a stronger spirit than their wretched companions,
and had proved refractory on their inland journey, or while kept in the
barracoon. These manacles were not removed by the people of the
_Pandora_, but just as the blacks had been delivered over, so were they
crowded aboard, chains, fetters, and all.

King Dingo Bingo stood upon the bank by the place of landing and watched
the embarkation, in which his bodyguard assisted. The skipper was by
his side, and the two held conversation just in the same manner as if
they superintended the lading of a cargo of ordinary merchandise! His
majesty occasionally pointed out some one of the slaves, and made his
remarks upon the qualities of the individual. He was either a good
"bulto"--valuable article--or some refractory fellow that the captain
was desired to watch well on