all
sitting together discussing what was best under our circumstances to be
done, when Delisle, who had gone to see Captain Williams, came back with
the report that he was much worse, and wished to see his son, who was a
midshipman, and had been living with the others. Delisle went for the
boy; and as he passed by, on his return, I saw that he looked especially
sad. That evening notice was brought us that Captain Williams was dead,
and his poor young midshipman son was left an orphan; and a prisoner in
that far-off pestiferous land. Delisle brought the boy back with him,
and with all the kindness of his heart endeavoured to console him.

In that climate decomposition follows death so rapidly that, almost
before the human form is cold, it is necessary to commit it to the
grave. We agreed, therefore, that early next morning we would all go
and pay the last respects to the late unfortunate captain of the Active.
Accordingly, snatching a hasty breakfast of dry bread and milk--for
that was all the food the present low state of our finances would allow
us to indulge in--we sallied forth, taking poor little Williams with us,
whom we intended should act as chief mourner. When we arrived at the
house, and went into the room where Delisle had last seen the body, it
was no longer there. We searched about, but nowhere could we see it.
In another room we found Captain Stott, late of the Minerva. His
health, like that of his brother captain, had given way, and he looked
very ill and wretched.

We told him that we had come to assist in burying poor Captain Williams.

"You have come, then, too late, gentlemen," he answered with a deep
sigh. "Two ill-conditioned negroes came this morning with a guard of
three or four soldiers, and informed me that they had come to remove the
body. I protested vehemently, and, had I possessed force, would have
prevented them, but it was in vain. The wretches, with taunts and
sneers at our being heretics and unworthy of Christian burial, carried
away the body of my friend and brother-officer, and, I conclude, have
thrown him into the ground in some out-of-the-way place."

Captain Stott was too ill, or he would have followed the barbarians in
spite of the soldiers. Two or three other people tried to do so, but
were driven back with angry threats, and at last gave up the attempt.
We were very indignant when we heard this, and resolved at once to go
and try and find out where the wretches had b