The African Trader | Page 8

his example, for I
expected every moment to feel the vessel's keel touching the bar, when
I knew that if she were to hang there even for the shortest possible time,
the following sea might break over her stem, and make a clean sweep
of her deck. On she sped though, lifted by another huge roller;
downwards we then glided amid the eddying creamy waters on to the
calm surface of the river, up which the next minute we were gliding
rapidly.
The appearance of the banks on either side was not attractive. As far as
the eye could reach was one dense jungle of mangrove bushes, and
though we ran on for several miles it in no way improved. The wind
died away as we advanced, and the atmosphere became hot and
oppressive. I had expected to see pleasant openings, with neat cottages,
plantations of maize, rice, and other grain, pepper, palms and palmetos;
but instead, a uniform line of the sombre tinted mangrove alone
presented itself, the trees just too high to prevent our having a view
over them of any more attractive scenery which might have existed
beyond.
I asked our black pilot when we should come to the town. "By by den

you see," he answered with a look which denoted that we should in
time witness something worth beholding.
The water was as smooth as glass. Here and there coveys of birds might
be seen skimming along the surface, while overhead a flight of scarlet
winged flamingos swept in wide circles, their plumage flashing in the
sun as they prepared to descend on one of the many sandbanks in the
stream, to carry on their fishing operations. As we advanced, now and
then a canoe would shoot out from among the jungle; the black skinned
paddlers coming quickly alongside, to ascertain our character and the
objects for which we wished to trade. Sometimes too we could see
troops of monkeys making their way among the branches, their small
grinning faces peering out at us as we glided by through some channel
near the shore. Hour after hour thus passed by, but at length, towards
evening, the belt of mangrove bushes diminished in thickness, and
other trees of more attractive appearance began to take their place, and
openings appeared with a few huts scattered about on the slopes of
gently rising ground.
As evening was closing in we caught sight, in the far distance, of a
congregation of huts, and the pilot gave the captain the welcome
information, that he might shorten sail, and prepare to come to an
anchor. By the time we had made everything snug darkness closed
down upon us. We could just see a few lights twinkling ahead, while on
either side, across the stream, appeared the dark outline of the tall trees
which clothed the river's banks. Silence reigned around us, with the
exception of the ripple of the water against the vessel's bows; but from
afar off came a confused mixture of sounds, which appeared like the
croaking of frogs, the chirruping of crickets, and other creeping and
flying things, the screeching and chattering of monkeys, mingled with
the voices of human beings making merry round their huts. The air was
damp and heavy and hot; at the same time I felt that I should like to be
seated by a roaring drying fire.
We kept a watch on deck as if we were at sea, with arms ready for use,
for though our pilot had assured us "that all good people here," Captain
Willis was too well acquainted, both with the character of the natives,

and the sort of gentry who might possibly be in the river waiting for a
cargo of slaves, to put himself in their power.
I tumbled and tossed about during the night in my berth, unable to sleep,
both on account of the heat, and, strange to say, of the perfect quiet
which prevailed. Next morning a large canoe was seen coming off from
the shore, in which was seated a white headed old negro in a glazed
cocked hat, a red hunting coat on his shoulders, a flannel petticoat
round his waist, and a pair of worsted slippers on his feet. The pilot,
who had remained on board, notified to the captain, with great
formality, that he was King Dingo, coming to receive his dash or
payment for allowing us to trade with his people. His majesty was
received with due ceremony, and conducted into the cabin, when, as
soon as he was seated, notwithstanding the early hour of the day, he
signified that it was his royal pleasure to be presented with a bottle of
rum. Having taken two or three glasses, which seemed to have no other
effect on him than sharpening his