e vessel was crowded
with sails, and from the bounding sort of feeling, and the rushing sound
of the water, he knew the vessel must be forcing her way with great
speed. For what reason this sudden change had been made Hans had no
idea, but that there was some cause for anxiety there seemed to be no
doubt, for the crew were so fully occupied that none of the slaves had
received any food up to mid-day, and consequently their groans and yells
were incessant. Without apparently being influenced by these sounds,
shortly after mid-day some of the sailors rushed down among the slaves,
and after inflicting several lashes on the more noisy, they unlocked the
irons of about half a dozen slaves, among whom was Hans, and signed to
them to go on deck.

Hans willingly complied with this request or order, for even had it been
to meet his death he would willingly have purchased a few breaths of
fresh air at this price. Upon ascending to the deck of the vessel, the
sight to Hans was one of wonder and astonishment. He had seen the vast
plains of Africa extending far as the eye could reach in all directions,
and had admired the extent of these, but never before had he at all
realised the vastness of the ocean. As he held for an instant to the
shrouds on the ship's side, he saw around him a wide expanse of water,
tossing and dancing as though possessed with life. He saw vast masses
of water come rushing after the vessel, foaming as though eager to
swallow her up; then the little vessel, rising as though by instinct,
seemed to allow these to pass beneath her, whilst she rested for a few
seconds, before again springing forward in her mad career. Hans had
scarcely time to observe even this, before he was dragged to the
after-part of the ship, and was given a pail with which he was directed
to bale out the water that had descended into the hold of the vessel.
At first Hans was inclined to refuse this, but a moment's reflection
told him that it might be wiser to obey, and wait for some chance of a
mutiny at another time. He therefore lowered his bucket by the rope
which was attached, and empted its contents over the side as directed.

Whilst employed in this manner, Hans observed that the sailors were
continually looking astern, even ascending the rigging in order to
obtain a better view of something. His trained eyes soon observed an
object on the horizon, but at a considerable distance, and this object
he knew must be a ship. Nothi