A Middy of the Slave Squadron | Page 4

place and got my
first whiff of its close, reeking, smoke-laden atmosphere; "put out that
abominable lamp and light a candle or two, somebody, for pity's sake.
How the dickens you fellows can manage to breathe down here I can't
understand. And, boy," to the messenger outside, "pass the word for
Cupid to bring us along some cocoa from the galley."

"There's no need," remarked Nugent, the master's mate, as he struggled
ineffectively to find the left sleeve of his jacket. "The word has already
been passed; I passed it myself when Master Cock-robin there,"
pointing to Copplestone, "came and roused us out. And, as to candles,
I'm afraid we haven't any; the rats appear to have eaten the last two we
had in the locker. However--ah, here comes the cocoa. Put the pot
down there, Cupid--never mind if it does soil our beautiful damask
table- cloth, we're going to have it washed next time we go into Sierra
Leone. And just see if you can find us a biscuit or two and some butter,
will ye, you black angel? Here, avast there,"--as the black was about to
retire--"produce our best china breakfast-set before you go, you swab,
and pour out the cocoa."
The black, a herculean Krooboy, picked up when we first arrived on the
Coast, and promptly christened "Cupid" by the master's mate, who,
possibly because of sundry disappointments, had developed a
somewhat sardonic turn of humour, grinned appreciatively at Nugent's
sorry jest respecting "our best china breakfast-set," and proceeded to
rout out the heterogeneous assortment of delf and tin cups, basins, and
plates that constituted the table-equipage of the midshipmen's berth,
poured out a generous allowance of cocoa for each of us, and then
departed, with the empty bread-barge, in quest of a supply of ship's
biscuit. By the time that Cupid returned with this, we had gulped down
our cocoa and were ready to go on deck. I therefore helped myself to a
couple of biscuits which, breaking into pieces of convenient size by the
simple process of dashing them against my elbow, I crammed into my
jacket pocket, and then rushed up the ladder to the deck, leaving my
companions to follow after they had snatched a hasty bite or two of
food; for there was now no knowing when we might get breakfast.
Upon my arrival on deck I found the hands already mustering under the
supervision of the first lieutenant, and a moment later I encountered the
boatswain, who handed over to me a good serviceable ship's cutlass--
worth a dozen of the ridiculous little dirks which were considered
suitable weapons for midshipmen--which I promptly girded about my
waist. At this moment all was bustle and animation throughout the ship,
yet so sedulously had we been trained to act in perfect silence that I am

certain the stealthy footfalls of the men hurrying to their stations, and
the whispered words of command, were quite inaudible at a distance of
twenty yards from the ship. Within a minute or two, however, even
these faint sounds had subsided, the crew were all mustered, and the
first lieutenant, assisted by a quartermaster who carried a carefully
masked lantern, was carefully, yet rapidly, inspecting each man's
weapons and equipment, scrutinising the flints in the locks of the
pistols, and otherwise satisfying himself of the efficiency of our hurried
preparations. While the inspection was still in progress the captain
came on deck, with his sword girded to his side and a brace of pistols
thrust into his belt, and stood quietly looking on until the inspection
was completed and Mr Perry had reported that everything was in order.
Then the skipper announced that he would personally lead the attack in
his own gig, manned by eight oarsmen, a coxswain, and a
midshipman-- myself; while the first cutter, manned by sixteen
oarsmen, a coxswain, and a midshipman--Jack Keene--was to be
commanded by Mr Purchase, the second lieutenant; and the second
cutter, with twelve oarsmen, a coxswain, and Nugent, the master's mate,
was to be under the command of the boatswain. Thus the attacking
party was to consist of forty-five persons, all told, which was as many,
I suppose, as the skipper felt justified in taking out of the ship under the
circumstances.
Then ensued a busy five minutes, during which the boats were being
noiselessly lowered and manned, the oars muffled, and every possible
precaution observed to enable us to take our unseen but doubtless
vigilant enemy unawares. This was just then regarded as of especial
importance, for at the time of which I am now writing the traffic in
slaves was regarded as piracy, and rendered its perpetrators liable to
capital punishment, in consequence of which almost every slaver went
heavily armed, and her crew, knowing that the halter was