mba Point, where we met the full
strength of the river current; and when we bore away on our course up
the river, our patience was severely taxed by the discovery that, even
with studding-sails set on both sides from the royals down, we could
scarcely do more than hold our own against the strong rush of the tide
and current together. Slowly, however, and by imperceptible degrees, by
hugging the northern shore as closely as we dared, with the lead
constantly going, we managed to creep insidiously past the mangrove and
densely bush-clad river bank until, just as the sun was dipping into the
horizon astern in a brief but indescribably magnificent blaze of purple
and scarlet and gold, we reached the place of our rendezvous with Senor
Lobo. And soon afterwards we had the satisfaction of discovering that
gentleman making his way toward us out of the narrow creek, his
conveyance being a small native canoe about fifteen feet long, roughly
hewn and hollowed out of a single log, and propelled by two natives, who
apparently regarded clothes as an entirely unnecessary superfluity, for
they were absolutely naked. They were fine, powerful specimens of negro
manhood, however, and smart fellows withal, for they propelled their
ungainly little craft along at a truly wonderful pace with scarcely any
apparent effort, sheering her alongside the brig in quite respectable
style without obliging us to start tack or sheet in order to pick them
up, and shinning up the side with the agility of a couple of monkeys as
soon as they had securely made fast the rope's-end that was hove to
them.

Our impatience at the slow progress that we had thus far made was
somewhat relieved by Lobo's assurance that we might confidently rely
upon a brisk breeze speedily springing up that would carry us to our
destination as soon as was at all desirable; his opinion being that our
best chance of success lay in the postponement of our attack until about
two o'clock in the morning, by which time the moon would have set, and
the slaver's crew would probably be wrapped in their deepest slumber.
So far as his prognostication relative to the wind was concerned, it was
soon confirmed, a strong breeze from the southward springing up, under
the impulsion of which, and with considerably reduced canvas, we reached
our destination, so far as the brig was concerned, about five bells in
the first watch.

This spot was situated on the northern bank of the river, at a distance,