ere of a military character,
will be found in _Our Soldiers_, page 198.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE SLAVE TRADE.

Ever since the settlement of Europeans on the continent of America and
the West Indian Islands, a trade in slaves had existed to a very great
extent. The slaves were taken from among the many tribes in the
interior of Africa in large numbers, and transported across the
Atlantic.

The evils of such an inhuman custom were manifold, and were a very dark
stain on civilisation. In course of time the conscience of England was
awakened to the evil, and the nation decided to take some stern steps to
put a stop to this trade in human beings, both in the interests of
humanity and justice, and for the sake of Africa.

On 25th March 1807 the Royal assent was given to a Bill for the total
abolition of the British slave trade on and after 1st January 1808. At
first only a penalty of money was exacted from those who were convicted
of slave-dealing. This, of course, was soon found to be without much
effect, and in consequence, in 1811, slave-dealing was made punishable
by transportation for fourteen years. Even this was found to be very
inadequate. The slave-dealer knew that the risks of his being caught at
his illicit trade were very small, and as the profits were very great he
was quite willing to run that risk. Slave-dealing still continued with
renewed zeal, and, if possible, greater cruelty than before.

In 1824, therefore, the offence was declared to be piracy, and
punishable with death. In 1837, however, the punishment inflicted on
British subjects for trading in slaves was changed to transportation for
life.

A squadron of small vessels supposed to be suited for the purpose was
forthwith equipped and sent to the African coast, to capture slavers
wherever they could be found north of the equator, either embarking
their cargoes or prepared to receive them, or with full ships, and
whether up rivers, on the coast, or out at sea.

These expeditions were full of excitement for the bluejackets, and
countless were the chases after slavers by the ships of the squadrons.
The danger was great in many cases. The slave-dealers were of the
lowest grade of humanity, and cruel to the last degree. The barbarity
with which they tore away the poor blacks from their native country, and
the cruelty with which they treated them on board, is indescribable.

The slaves were treated worse than animals, and many died dur