ines like that was built for the purpose of carrying palm-oil?
Not she. I should like to have a look at her bows; I'll be bound they
are as keen as a knife--we shall see them by and by, when she swings at
the turn of the tide. Yet if that brig were overhauled--as she probably
will be--nothing whatever of a suspicious character would be found
aboard her, except maybe a whole lot of casks, which they would say was
for stowing the palm-oil in. Well, here we are; but we shall have to
keep our eyes open night and day to weather upon the rascally slavers;
they are as sly as foxes, and always up to some new circumventing
trick."

With which reflection, followed by a deep sigh at the wily genius of the
slaving fraternity in general, the worthy master turned upon his heel
and retired below.

The Portuguese remained in the cabin for over an hour; and when he came
on deck again, accompanied by the captain and the first lieutenant, I
thought that the two latter looked decidedly elated, as though, despite
the master's foreboding, they had succeeded in obtaining some important
information. The captain was particularly gracious to his visitor,
going even to the length of shaking hands with him ere he passed out
through the gangway, the first luff of course following suit, as in duty
bound.

"Then we may rely upon you to send us off the fresh meat and vegetables
early this afternoon?" remarked Young, as he stood at the gangway.

"Yais, yais; dey shall be alongside by t'ree o'clock at de lates'!"
answered the Portuguese. "And as soon as you have receive dem you had
better veigh and leave de creek. Give dat point"--indicating
Boolambemba Point--"a bert' of a mile and you veel be all right."

"Yes, thanks, I will remember," returned the first lieutenant. "And
where are we to pick you up?"

"Hus-s-sh! my dear sair; not so loud, if you please," answered Lobo,
hastily leaving his boat and coming half-way up the gangway ladder
again. "Dere is a leetl' creek about two mile pas' de point, on de
nort' bank of de river. I vill be on de look-out for you dere in a
small canoe vid two men dat I can trus'. And you mus' pick me up
_queevk_, because if eet vas known dat I had consent to pilot you my
t'roat would be cut before I vas a mont' oldaire."

"Never fear," answered Young. "We will keep a sharp look-out for you
and get you on board without anybody being a penny the wiser.
Good-bye."

The Portuguese bowed with another flouris