them. And I could not help thinking what their fate would be, thrown
upon the shore hundreds of miles from their homes, and among a people
strange to them in language.

Even Mr. Block was deeply stirred. "He had not shipped," he said, "for
such work." I went to my cabin and left him in charge. In the course
of an hour he reported, "All ashore, sir." I told him to have the gig
manned and I would go on shore with Colonel Royal, and get a receipt
from Governor Marshall for my late cargo. The colonel declined to
accompany me, alleging sickness and requesting me to get the necessary
papers signed. No doubt he felt safer on board than within reach of King
George.

We landed through the surf on a sandy beach, on which the waves of the
Atlantic were fretting. Near by was a thick grove of cocoanut trees,
under which in groups of four and five were those who had just been
landed. They were seated on the ground, their heads resting on their
knees, in a position of utter abnegation, surrounded by three or four
hundred chattering savages of all ages, headed by the king. With the
exception of him and a few of his head men, the clothing of the company
would not have covered a rag baby. They were no doubt discussing the
appearance of the strangers and making their selections.

I found the governor's house and the houses of the few settlers some
distance back on a slight elevation. The governor was comfortably,
though plainly situated, with a large family around him. He gave me a
receipt for the number of blacks landed, but said it would be impossible
for him to prevent the natives from taking and enslaving them. I agreed
with him, and said he must repeat to the king what I had told him. Then
bidding him good-by I returned on board, sad and weary as one often
feels after being relieved of a great burden. At the same time I
wondered whether the fate of these people would have been any worse if
the captain of the slaver had succeeded in landing them in the Brazils
or the West Indies. Sierra Leone being a crown colony, the English could
land all their captives there and provide for them until they were able
to work for themselves. In this respect they had a great advantage over
us.

Getting under way, I proceeded to Monrovia to land Colonel Royal,
and then to Porto Praya, our squadron's headquarters. There I found
Commodore Gregory in the flagship corvette Portsmouth, and reported to
him. Soon after the Porpoise came in, and I joined m