on deck about a quarter of an hour,
and then all descended by the ladder to the fore-peak, and turned into
their hammocks.

As soon as I thought I could do so with safety, I came out of my
lurking-place, and retreated to the state-room. It was fortunate that I
did, for a minute afterwards I heard a man on deck, and the second mate
came down the companion-hatch, and inquired whether I wanted anything.
I told him no; that I was very ill, and only hoped to be able to go to
sleep, and asked him if the captain had returned. He replied that he
had not, and then went away. As soon as I was left to myself, I began
to consider what would be best to be done. I knew the captain to be a
very timorous man, and I was afraid to trust him with the secret, as I
thought he would be certain to let the men know by his conduct that they
were discovered and their plans known. The four men who were prisoners
with me I knew that I could confide in. This was the Tuesday night, and
we proposed sailing on the Thursday. Now we had no means of defence on
board, except one small gun, which was honey-combed and nearly useless.
It did very well to make a signal with, but had it been loaded with
ball, I believe it would have burst immediately. It is true that we had
muskets and cutlasses, but what use would they have been against such a
force as would be opposed, and two-thirds of our men mutineers. Of
course we must have been immediately overpowered.

That the slavers intended to take possession of their own vessel before
they took ours, I had no doubt. It is true that we outsailed them when
we had a breeze, but the bay was usually becalmed, and it was not till a
vessel had got well into the offing that she obtained a breeze, and
there was no doubt but that they would take the opportunity of boarding
us when we were moving slowly through the water, and a boat might easily
come up with us. The slaver had stated his intention of sailing
immediately to procure her cargo elsewhere, and if she got under weigh
at the same time that we did, no suspicion would be created. To apply
for protection to the governor would be useless--he could not protect us
after we were clear of the bay. Indeed, if it were known that we had so
done, it would probably only precipitate the affair, and we should be
taken possession of while at anchor, for the shot from the fort would
hardly reach us. It was, therefore, only by stratagem that we could
escape from the