In the Wilds of AfricaKingston, William Henry Giles
General
In the Wilds of Africa
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Africa -- Juvenile fiction
We at once prepared to quit the slaver, and on going on deck found the
boat alongside. The captain and his officers were collected at the
gangway to bid us farewell, but we could with difficulty restrain our
feelings of abhorrence in spite of the politeness with which they
treated us. Notwithstanding the unprepossessing appearance of the
shore, we thankfully hurried into the boat. Timbo and Jack followed us.
Ramaon stood on the deck. His master called to him. He replied in
Portuguese.
"The scoundrel!" said Senhor Silva. "He has been tempted to turn
slaver, and tells me he has entered aboard the vessel as a seaman. I am
well rid of him then."
I was glad to hear these expressions from our friend, because I was
afraid, from his intimacy with the slave captain, that he himself was
engaged in the traffic. The slaver remained hove-to while we pulled
towards the shore. As I saw the heavy surf breaking ahead of us, I felt
great anxiety for what might occur. The boat, however, was a large one,
and the coxswain was an old seaman, who seemed calm and collected as he
stood up and surveyed the breakers through which we had to pass. The
crew kept their eyes fixed on him as they pulled on. Now we rose to the
summit of a sea; now they stopped rowing; now again they urged the boat
forward, bending to their oars with might and main. On we dashed. The
waters foamed on either side. A huge sea came rolling up astern. Once
more we stopped and allowed it to break ahead of us. Again the helmsman
urged the crew to pull away. We dashed on, and the next instant rushed
up on the sandy shore. Some twenty or more blacks were there to receive
us, and dashing into the water, they seized the boat and dragged her up,
and before another sea broke we were high up on the beach. The crew
assisted us to run forward, Stanley helping Kate, while David took
little Bella in his arms, and sprang over the bows on to the sand. The
rest of us followed, Jack catching hold of Natty and Timbo of Leo, and
carrying them up out of reach of the water. I saw Senhor Silva putting
some money into the hands of the coxswain. "Now," he said, "we are on
shore, we must consult what is next to be done." Our clothing, and the
small amount of articles we had saved from the wreck, together with
numerous packages brought by Senhor Silva, were next handed out and
piled together high up on the beach. A little way off we saw a few huts
and a large barracoon, similar to those on the banks of the river from
which the slaves had been embarked. On the shore were hauled up a
number of canoes. Scarcely had we landed when a troop of slaves were
seen issuing from the barracoon, and led by their captors down to the
beach. Several were put on board the boat, which at once shoved off and
pulled for the schooner. The canoes were now launched, and in each a
dozen or more negroes were embarked. The boat passed through the surf
in safety; then one canoe followed, then another. The third had
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account