miseries. Out of all
those on board the canoe, which must have contained some twenty human
beings, only three or four escaped. One reached the shore; the others
were taken on board by the canoes ahead. Notwithstanding this the
remainder shoved off, and passing through the surf, put their cargoes on
board. They then returned, and the schooner, letting draw her head
sheets, stood out to sea.

CHAPTER FOUR.

OUR JOURNEY INLAND.

We sat on the shore under the shade of some tall trees on the outskirts
of the forest, which came down in an apparently impenetrable mass nearly
to the coast. Our eyes were turned towards the slave-schooner, which
now, under all sail, was standing on, with her freight of living
merchandise, at a distance from the shore. We were thankful to be out
of her; yet our position was a trying one. We could not tell what
dangers and difficulties were before us. In front was the dark rolling
sea, which broke in masses of foam at our feet; behind us was the thick
forest, through which on one hand a creek had forced its way into the
ocean, though its mouth was impassable for boats on account of a
sandbank which ran across it; while on the other side was a clear space,
in which stood the barracoons and huts of the native slave-dealers. The
blacks had taken little notice of us, leaving us to our own devices,
probably, till we might be compelled to appeal to them for assistance.
Close to us were piled up the articles we had saved from the wreck, as
well as others which Senhor Silva had purchased from the captain for his
own and our use.

We had been silent for some minutes. "What is to be done, Stanley?"
said David at length. "Are we to proceed to the north, or south; and
how are we to travel? We cannot carry all those things, that is
certain."

"It must depend on whereabouts we are, the direction in which we
proceed," answered Stanley. "The slave captain took good care to keep
us in the dark as to that point; but perhaps Senhor Silva can inform
us."

"Indeed, my friend, I am sorry to say I cannot," said the Portuguese.
"It is only now that I breathe freely, and can assure you that although
I appeared on friendly terms with the captain of yonder vessel, I hate
the work in which he is engaged as much as you do; and though by a heavy
bribe I induced him to land us, he would not tell me where he purposed
putting us on shore, lest we might reach some settlement, and give
notice of his being