We had a fast run across the Atlantic. The news of my supposed loss had
reached the frigate, and the kind way in which my uncle and the gun-room
officers, as well as my messmates, received me, showed me that I had
been regretted--of course a midshipman cannot expect to create any very
great sorrow when he loses the number of his mess, as an admiral or a
post-captain would. I did not meet with any other very extraordinary
adventures during the remainder of the four years the frigate was in
commission. I found the South American station a very pleasant one. I
might have found Rio dull, but that I was constantly sent away in the
Liberia, which did good service by capturing several slavers. We used
to make her look like what she formerly was, and in that way she acted
as a decoy, and entrapped several slavers who approached her without
suspicion. We had one long trip round Cape Horn, and visited the coast
of Chili and Peru. That was the most interesting we took. I feel that
I have a right to be considered something of a sailor after having
doubled Cape Horn, and crossed and re-crossed the Line. At length the
frigate was ordered home; the schooner remained at Rio to do duty as
before as a tender. On our way we touched at Sierra Leone. My uncle
gave me leave to go on shore. I hurried off to the college, for I was
anxious to hear something of my old friend and the preserver of my life.
Three years had passed since I had seen him. He was then little more
than fourteen. I was shown into a room where several pupil teachers
were engaged in giving instruction to a number of young lads and boys.
One teacher was evidently taking the lead of the rest. In very eloquent
language he was explaining the truths of Christianity to a class of most
attentive listeners. Though the skin of the speaker was black, the
voice was that of an educated Englishman. I waited till he had ceased
speaking. There is Mr Pongo, said the person who had conducted me to
the room. His eye brightened as he saw me, and in an instant springing
from his desk his hands were warmly pressed in mine. What immense
progress he has made! how little I have advanced since we parted! I
thought as I looked at him and heard him describe his work. I felt
humbled and ashamed of myself. I thought over the matter, and resolved
in future to employ my time, as far as I had the power, to the advantage
of myself as well as that of others. Pongo came on board the frigate,
and was received most kindly by my uncle and all the officers. He was,
I found, training to become a missionary of the Gospel among his
countrymen, and hoped ultimately to be ordained. I have since
frequently heard from him. We spent only three days at Sierra Leone,
and arrived at last safely in old England, and thus ended my first
cruise.