m when I was a slave to the queen
Whyna, as I always procured for them everything which I could, and,
through the exertions of my mistress, had them plentifully supplied with
provisions from the king's table. The second mate and other eight men
we had shipped at Liverpool. They were fine, stout fellows, but
appeared to be loose characters, but that we did not discover till after
we had sailed. There was anchored with us at Senegal a low black brig,
employed in the slave-trade, which had made the bay at the same time
that we did; and to their great surprise--for she was considered a very
fast sailer--she was beaten at all points by our ship, which was
considered the fastest vessel out of Liverpool. The crew of the slaver
were numerous, and as bloodthirsty a set of looking fellows as ever I
fell in with. Their boat was continually alongside of our vessel, and I
perceived that their visits were made to the eight men whom we had
shipped at Liverpool, and that they did not appear inclined to be at all
intimate with the rest of the crew. This roused my suspicions, although
I said nothing; but I watched them very closely. One forenoon, as I was
standing at the foot of the companion-ladder, concealed by the
booby-hatch from the sight of those on deck, I heard our men talking
over the side, and at last, as I remained concealed, that I might
overhear the conversation, one of the slaver's men from the boat said,
"To-night, at eight o'clock, we will come to arrange the whole
business." The boat then shoved off, and pulled for the brig.

Now, it was the custom of the captain to go on shore every evening to
drink sangaree and smoke with the governor, and very often I went with
him, leaving the ship in charge of the second mate. It had been my
intention, and I had stated as much to the second mate, to go this
evening, as it was the last but one that we should remain at Senegal;
but from what I overheard I made up my mind that I would not go. About
an hour before sunset, I complained of headache and sickness, and sat
down under the awning over the after part of the quarter-deck. When the
captain came up to go on shore, he asked me if I was ready, but I made
no answer, only put my hand to my head.

The captain, supposing that I was about to be attacked by the fever of
the country, was much concerned, and desired the second mate to help him
to take me down to the state-room, and then went on shore; the boat was,
as usual, pul