he been
persuaded that Ali had set fire to the ship, he would decidedly have got
him and those who assisted him punished. He has been somewhat
over-lenient, however; there can be little doubt about that."

"De captain good man, no doubt about dat; too good for dis world, and
for manage such rascal as Ali Tomba and his people."

"Well, Potto," said I, "I believe you, at all events; but if you have
nothing more to say, I must try to find a cooler spot than this. I am
almost roasted, and feel that I could not stand it many minutes longer."

"No; I have told all I know," said Potto. "But you just say to Mr
Thudicumb, he be wise man, and keep his weather eye open."

As I began to move off, Potto shouted out,--"Come here, Macco, you black
rascal; be quick wid dem 'tatoes." They were the sweet potato roots of
which he spoke, by the by.

On going aft, I told Mr Thudicumb what I had heard. He thought for a
few minutes.

"I suspect, Walter," he observed, "the black is right. However, twelve
men, let them be ever so cunning, cannot do us much harm, unless they
again attempt to set the ship on fire. I never doubted that Ali had a
hand in that before, though the captain would not believe it. At all
events, if I had had my way, I should have got rid of him and his crew
at the first opportunity."

Soon after this the mate was engaged in conversation with the captain.
I saw that my kind friend looked somewhat annoyed. He had made up his
mind that Ali was honest, and that Potto Jumbo was fanciful, and I
suspect did not like to be compelled to alter his opinion. He soon
afterwards called me up, and cross-questioned me on the subject. He had
a good deal to make him anxious. The navigation of the seas through
which we were sailing is as difficult as that of any part of the world.
Pirates also swarmed in all directions; and though they might not
venture to attack so large a ship as ours while we were under sail, they
might perhaps, should they find her at anchor, and be able to get round
us in sufficient force to give them a prospect of success. There were
also considerable difficulties in carrying on the trade in the places we
were to visit, as both the Spaniards and Dutch were sure to throw every
impediment in our way, their policy being to monopolise as far as they
could the whole of the trade of these regions. Several times the
captain went into his cabin to examine the barometer.

"Thudicumb," he said, when he c