On hearing this explanation I at first felt inclined to laugh, but my
mirthful inclinations were soon dissipated. The serious tone of my
companion's voice, and, above all, the earnest manner of the skipper and
king, as they talked the subject between them, at once proved that the
thing was no joke.
The captain did not at first appear desirous of acceding to the request
of the negro; but the latter appeared to press the point with so much
solicitation and earnestness that the white ruffian, stimulated by
feelings of cupidity, evidently began to yield. Five blacks were
offered in exchange for me--so Brace said, and they were now squabbling
about a sixth! The captain had, in fact, virtually consented to sell
me--it was only a question of price!
I was perfectly horrified when I learned this much. Brace himself was
greatly troubled--for he knew well that the brute in whose power I was
would have no scruples in making such a bargain. The only reason he
refused at first was because he had found me useful on board his barque,
but if he could add six able-bodied blacks to his cargo--six that would
fetch 200 pounds each on the Brazilian coast, that would be a
consideration that would far outbalance any service of mine. Of course
he felt no responsibility about the matter. To whom was he
accountable?--a slaver! an outlaw! Where and when was I ever to report
or punish him! Nowhere and never. He might have sold me into slavery a
dozen times--taken my life, if it had so pleased him, without the
slightest danger of being called to account for it--and he well knew
this.
No wonder then I became horrified. The idea of becoming the slave of
that hideous and greasy savage--that cruel monster--a wholesale dealer
in human lives--a trafficker in flesh and blood. Oh! it was revolting!
I can hardly describe the remainder of that trying scene. I was in such
agony I knew not how to act, or what to say. I remember being told that
the bargain was concluded, that the king had agreed to give six blacks
for me, and the skipper had consented to take them; and to prove that
this was really so, I saw the latter step out of the boat and return to
the hut, arm in arm with the gross savage. They were gone, so said
Brace, to conclude the bargain over a glass of rum.
I raved, and shouted, and threatened, and, perhaps at that moment,
blasphemed. I was not master of my speech, nor yet of my actions. I
was so appalled with the prospect before me that I could have thrown
myself into the river. Oh! it seemed a horrible fate--thus to be sold
into worse than captivity--a slavery worse than death, to live the slave
of a barbarous monster, with no hope of deliverance, for whence could
deliverance come? Oh! it seemed a horrible fate! and I was almost
frantic.
My cries and gestures only drew laughter from the crowd of blacks that
still lingered upon the bank, and some of them mocked and taunted me in
their native gibberish. Even the men in the boat did not care much
about the matter.
Brace alone felt and sympathised with me, but what could he do? I saw
from his manner that he felt powerless to protect me. They would have
mastered and punished him, had he opposed their wishes.
I wondered, however, that he kept so cool and quiet. I fancied he might
have shown more feeling; but I was wronging him. He felt keenly, and I
soon learnt the cause of his being so silent. He had been busy all the
while--busy with his thoughts--busy in maturing a plan for my escape.
As soon as the captain and king had gone back from the bank, my
companion shifted a little nearer; and in a low, muttering voice that
could not be heard by the rest, thus addressed me:--
"No help for't, my lad--sold you for six blacks. Go along wi' king--
pretend to go willin', or they'll tie you. Don't be obstropelous an'
get tied--be patient and keep sharp look out till `_Pandy_' trips
anchor, then gie 'em the slip--easy enough in the dark--keep down the
bank o' the river--near the mouth take to water--swim straight for
barque--I'll be on the look out and throw ye a rope's end. Don't fear
to come on--old Mugs won't mind your getting aboard--only too glad to
get you back an' play Dingo Bingo a trick. Mind an' do as I've told
you. Avast, hush--yonder they come."
Delivered as this speech was, half in whisper, and half in interrupted
mutterings, I comprehended its reasonable design, and had just time to
promise obedience to its directions when I perceived the captain
returning to the boat.
He was not alone. The king was waddling by his side, and just behind
them were six large negroes, chained two and two, and driven forward by
as many armed myrmidons of their own colour.
It was for the first six I was to be "swopped," or rather had already
been, for the bargain was concluded and the blacks were being delivered
over to form part of the slaver's cargo.
These new "bultos" were not slaves--at least, they had not been such ten
minutes before. They were some of the regular followers of the negro
king; and, but a short while ago, carried muskets and formed part of his
military array, ready to kill or capture his enemies at his nod, or even
his friends if bidden. But fortune is fickle to such heroes, and their
more favoured companions had just been directed to capture them and
deliver them over to a life-long bondage.
In a few minutes more they were huddled unceremoniously into the boat,
while I was pulled out of it with as little ceremony and handed over to
my new master upon the bank.
No doubt the skipper was surprised that I made so little opposition, and
the king seemed equally pleased--for he conducted me with a species of
drunken politeness into the palace and insisted upon my drinking with
him a glass of his best rum.
I looked through the apertures of the upright palms that formed the
walls of the hut. I saw the gig cross over to the anchored vessel, and
those whom she carried mount over the gangway. The boat was then rowed
astern, the tackle was let down from above, and in a few minutes she was
hauled high out of water to her place under the poop.
No longer had I a chance to reach the barque without swimming for it,
and for that was now to prepare myself.