The Pirate Slaver, a Story of the West African Coast, by Harry
Collingwood.
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This is a very well-written book, especially from the nautical point of
view. It is written as by a midshipman in a British warship patrolling
the west coast of Africa, especially the Congo area, to try to prevent
the slave traders, especially the Portuguese, from succeeding in their
efforts to get the poor captured Africans over the Atlantic to Cuba in
the most miserable conditions.
But it doesn't work out as simply as that! For the hero, Harry Dugdale,
is captured in an action, and would have been killed but for the
interest taken in him by the slaver-captain's son. From this there
sprang a deal with the slaver that Harry would assist with navigation
and watch-keeping, but must go below decks when there is an action in
progress.
We won't tell you much more than that but cannot refrain from commenting
that the book is at least as good as the best by Kingston, though in
this book the action is almost entirely at sea, or at least on board a
sea-going vessel.
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THE PIRATE SLAVER, A STORY OF THE WEST AFRICAN COAST, BY HARRY
COLLINGWOOD.