, she proceeded down towards the bar. We found
our friends in great agitation on board on discovering the character of
the vessel. Kate was almost in tears.

"Poor creatures! Where are they going to carry them to in that dark
hold? Why, there is scarcely room I should think for one hundred,
instead of the number who have been placed below."

"They are but a small portion, I fear, of his intended cargo," I
answered. "From what I have heard, many more than those who have
already been brought on board will be stowed away. A large vessel like
this will carry between five and six hundred human beings. I trust,
however, that the captain is more humane, and will be content with those
he has already obtained."

"I wish we could manage to let them go again," said Leo. "What right
have people to carry off their fellow-creatures, even though they are
blacks. I am sure they did not come willingly, for I saw many of them
crying, and refusing, till they were beaten, to go down into the hold."

"If you could think of a plan, I would help you," said Natty. "I wish
we could manage to restore them to their friends and to their native
villages."

I was pleased to see this feeling in the boys, although it was hopeless;
for, unless captured by a cruiser, the poor blacks were not likely ever
again to visit their native land, or to set foot on shore until they had
reached the coast of Brazil. I had seen something of the slave-trade on
my former visits to Africa, and was well acquainted with the whole
system.

When crossing the bar, we were all as before ordered below. The wind
was blowing off the land, and with a strong breeze we dashed through the
breakers. I felt by the way the vessel pitched that they were of some
height, and I confess I was glad when at length I found that she was
well outside, and once more gliding through the waters of the Atlantic.
Stanley now addressed Senhor Silva, and begged him to urge the captain
to land us at the nearest European settlement.

"I will do what I can," was the answer; "but I am sorry to tell you
that, as we have all now been let into too many of his secrets, he
purposes carrying us across to the Brazils."

This information made Stanley _very_ indignant.

"My friend," said Senhor Silva, "there is no use exhibiting any anger;
but if you will leave matters in my hands I will do the best I can for
you."

I can scarcely describe the horror and annoyance we all felt on finding
ou