current sets out and the wind blows in, the sea breaks with great
violence, so that, under those circumstances, the crossing them, even in
a decked vessel, is a work of very considerable danger. On this
occasion appearances were far from favourable: the wind was foul, and
blowing very strong; a heavy sea was breaking over the bars, its
incessant roar seeming like a warning not to venture into its power;
while evening was rapidly closing in, the coming darkness threatening to
increase the difficulties to be encountered. Still Mr Dumaresq was
unwilling to expose his followers to the baneful atmospheric influences
of another night spent within the mouth of the river, or to the chances
of attack from any of the slavers' friends who might be in the
neighbourhood, and who would always be ready to win back a prize at any
sacrifice of the lives of the captors; though that was a contingency not
likely to happen. He was rather influenced, probably, by his anxiety to
secure his prizes, and to report his proceedings to his superior
officer. The schooners had anchored just inside the inner bar, and all
the necessary preparations having been made, and the tide serving, they
again got under weigh. Mr Dumaresq led in the _Asp_, directing Mr
Kingston to follow in his wake. This Mr Kingston did, approaching the
bar on the starboard tack, the _Lark_ having the cutter towing astern,
and her own boat, which could not be hoisted up on account of the
tackles being unrove, and a net full of vegetables being worked athwart
the davits. Neither could her boat be got on board, on account of the
crowded state of the decks. As the _Lark_ drew close to the bar, the
appearance of things in no degree mended. Hands were placed in the
chains, who kept the lead constantly going; and, as the water shoaled,
the schooners had to tack repeatedly, wearing sometimes, as the heavy
swell threatened otherwise to prevent their coming round. From the
first, Mr Kingston had but little confidence in the black volunteer
pilot who had accompanied him on board the _Lark_; and now, though he
urged him by threats to perform the duty he had undertaken, and tried to
stimulate him to exertion by reminding him of his promised reward, he
only answered, "This is no my bar!" and finally threw himself down on
the deck under the bulwarks, refusing to take any further charge of the
vessel. It must be remembered that the boats had entered the Niger by
the _Brass_ river, the