the voyage. Many of the poor victims were
evidently well-known to this hideous monster, and, indeed, as already
hinted at, some of them were his own subjects! King Dingo Bingo thought
nothing of that so long as he could sell them and get pay in return.
His relation to his people generally was that of complete master and
owner; and he felt towards them as a farmer to his hogs, or a grazier to
his cattle. He and the captain gaily chatted and joked and laughed,
when any of the poor wretches passed them whose appearance was
calculated to excite ridicule; while to me the whole scene was one of
disgust and sorrow, and with sad, sad heart did I assist in the
spectacle.

The embarkation was still going on, and most of the unfortunate
creatures had been carried aboard, when the boat of the Kroomen was
observed coming rapidly up stream. These had been sent down to the
mouth of the river to reconnoitre, and keep watch until the slaver
should be ready for sea. In case the cutter or any sail should come in
sight, they had orders to row back as quickly as possible and give the
alarm.

The fact of them coming back at all was proof that some sail had been
made out; and the rapidity with which they were plying their oars not
only confirmed this belief, but showed that they had something very
important to tell.

Both Dingo Bingo and the skipper beheld their approach with
consternation, which was not allayed in the least when the Kroomen rowed
alongside and delivered their report.

A sail was in sight, sure enough, and not only in sight, but actually
heading in for the coast! The Kroomen had no doubt about the sort of
craft it was. They had seen the cutter before setting out from the
English factory. They had noted her rig. It was she.

The captain at first exhibited some signs of dismay, but after looking
up to the sky and around to the tree-tops, to note which way blew the
wind, he appeared to recover his spirits a little, and ordered the
embarkation to be hurried on.

Meanwhile the Kroomen were despatched back to the point of observation
at the mouth of the river, with orders to report from time to time the
progress which the cruiser was making. The captain saw that the wind
was in his favour, and dead ahead for the cutter; it would be impossible
for her to enter the river so long as the wind remained in that quarter,
and as it was now within an hour of night, she would scarce attempt to
venture near the shore, at al