t the character of the vessel we were on board. During all hours of
the day and night, but especially at night, the cries and groans of the
unfortunate slaves reached our ears. Once my curiosity induced me to
look into the hold, but the horrible odour which proceeded from it, and
the sight of those upturned faces, expressive of suffering and despair,
prevented me ever again desiring to witness the sight.

Once more we were close in with the land. Senhor Silva came to us in
the cabin. "I am glad to say that I have made arrangements with the
captain to land you," he said. "There is another barracoon near this,
from whence more slaves are to be brought off, and if you wish at once
to go on shore you can be conveyed there. A heavy surf is however
setting on the beach, and I am afraid that there is some risk. It is a
wild place, too, and you will probably have many hardships to endure
before you can reach any European settlement."

"Oh, we would go through anything, so as to get out of this vessel!"
exclaimed Kate. The same sentiment was echoed by the rest of us.

"I fully sympathise with you," said Senhor Silva, "and will inform the
captain of your determination. I will lose no time, lest he should
change his mind. He knows that I hate this traffic in which he is
engaged as much as you do."

We at once prepared to quit the slaver, and on going on deck found the
boat alongside. The captain and his officers were collected at the
gangway to bid us farewell, but we could with difficulty restrain our
feelings of abhorrence in spite of the politeness with which they
treated us. Notwithstanding the unprepossessing appearance of the
shore, we thankfully hurried into the boat. Timbo and Jack followed us.
Ramaon stood on the deck. His master called to him. He replied in
Portuguese.

"The scoundrel!" said Senhor Silva. "He has been tempted to turn
slaver, and tells me he has entered aboard the vessel as a seaman. I am
well rid of him then."

I was glad to hear these expressions from our friend, because I was
afraid, from his intimacy with the slave captain, that he himself was
engaged in the traffic. The slaver remained hove-to while we pulled
towards the shore. As I saw the heavy surf breaking ahead of us, I felt
great anxiety for what might occur. The boat, however, was a large one,
and the coxswain was an old seaman, who seemed calm and collected as he
stood up and surveyed the breakers through which we ha