f death, which is generally
chosen to avoid one of a more dreadful nature, is placed on the inner
end of the plank, and compelled to walk along it till he reaches the
outer end, which immediately yields to his weight, and he falls into
the sea, never to rise again. To make shorter work of it, he is
sometimes loaded with a large shot, which quickly carries him down.
These fellows have another method of disposing of any unfortunate
vessel that may fall into their hands; after having got rid of the
captain and crew as above, they fill her with slaves, and send her
across the Atlantic, should the vessel be met with by any ship of
war, she escapes examination, as her appearance when in the hands of
her own commander was known, and therefore no suspicion is excited.

Everything being prepared for their departure they embarked on board
the Carnarvon,--Garth, commander, for Rio Janeiro. The Landers speak
in terms of high commendation of the conduct observed towards them,
during their stay at Fernando, by Mr. Becroft, Mr. Crichton, and Mr.
Beatty. Everything was supplied them which the place could afford,
and it was always a source of gratification to them to reflect on the
time that they passed in their society.

Having taken leave of their friends, they embarked and bade adieu to
the island of Fernando Po. Mr. Stockwell, the officer of marines,
accompanied them on board, having taken his passage like themselves
to return to England. Their crew consisted of seven European seamen,
two free negroes and one Krooman, besides the commander of the vessel
and two mates. So great, however, was the mortality amongst them,
that before a week had elapsed, the two Landers with the three black
men were all that were left to work the vessel, and one of them only
knew how to steer. Richard Lander was obliged to take the helm until
twelve at night, and every morning after four, having only a few
minutes allowed him to take a hasty meal, and in addition to their
troubles, the vessel was so completely over-run with rats, that it
was quite impossible to stay below with any comfort, and as for
sleeping there, it was wholly out of the question.

On the evening of the 14th March, the Krooman fell into the sea. This
poor fellow, whose name was Yellow Will, called loudly to them for
help, and although the vessel was not sailing at a great rate, he
missed every thing that was thrown overboard to save him. To have
altered the ship's course would have