, and the wind, which put one in mind of
the blast of a furnace, was equally steady, so, that we slowly beat up
till we got close in-shore. It was dark when we made our approach to
the mouth of the Sherbro, and when we were off it we furled everything,
and let the vessel go where she might, in the hopes that should there be
a slaver inside ready to sail she might take the opportunity of running
out while the land-wind lasted, and, not seeing us, might fall into our
clutches. Every light was dowsed on board, and the bells were even not
allowed to be struck. There we lay, like a log on the water, or, as
Jenkins said, like a boa-constrictor ready to spring on its prey.
Besides the regular look-outs, we had plenty of volunteer eyes peering
into the darkness, in hopes of distinguishing an unsuspecting slaver.
We of course kept the lead at the bottom, to mark the direction we were
driving; but we did not move much, as the send of the sea on shore was
counteracted by the wind blowing off it. Everybody made sure of having
a prize before morning. Jenkins said he was certain of having one, and
the master was very sanguine. The first watch passed away, and nothing
appeared, but neither of them would go below.

"I think we must have driven too much to the southward," said Jenkins to
the master, growing impatient. "The written orders for the night are to
hold our position. Don't you think we had better make sail back again?"

"What! and show our whereabouts to the slaver, if there is one?"
answered the master. "Besides, we haven't driven the sixteenth of a
mile, except off-shore; and there isn't much odds about that. Hark! did
not you hear some cries coming from in-shore of us?"

We listened, but if sounds there were they were not repeated; and as
Jenkins had the middle watch, I turned in, desiring to be called if
anything occurred. I was on deck again just as the light of day was
struggling into existence through the heavy canopy which hung over us;
and as the sun, which must have been rising in the heavens, got higher,
so the mass of vapour over the land increased in density and depth. At
first it hung just above the mangrove bushes, and we could see the tops
of a few lofty palm-trees on shore, and some distant mountains popping
their heads above it; but by degrees they and the whole scene before us
were immersed in it.

The people's breakfast was just over when the captain came on deck.

"No success, Mr Rawson, la