Finding little and seeing less, I repaired on board and made sail for Sierra Leone, where we anchored next morning. I went on shore and dined with the Governor, and the day following received an invitation to a dinner from the principal merchants, which I accepted, and was introduced to the native king who had sold the settlement to the English. He was dressed in an embroidered2 blue silk coat, white satin waistcoat and inexpressibles, with a gold-laced cocked hat and a pair of heavy ammunition3 shoes. He wore no stockings, he was old and ugly, and his shins were sharp and curved. I gave him an invitation to dine on board, which he declined. Before we sailed, I joined a picnic party to Bence Island, which is situated4 about fourteen miles up the river from Free Town. We dined there very pleasantly, and one of the merchants made me a present of a collection of insects and handsome shells, in return [pg 260]for which I sent him some views. The 21st of October falling on the day before our departure, I asked the Governor, the officers of the regiment5, and the merchants to dine on board. We dressed the ship and decorated the quarter-deck. At five o’clock we sat down to a dinner, consisting of all the delicacies6 of Sierra Leone and the ship’s provision. Port and madeira circulated freely, and the company began to get in high spirits; and as there were two white ladies, wives of the two military commanding officers, who accompanied their husbands, a dance was proposed on the quarter-deck. The only musicians we could muster7 were the marine8 drummer, ship’s fifer, and my steward9, who performed on the clarionet. I opened the ball with the Honourable10 Mrs. Forbes, and was followed by most of the others, until it became too ridiculous, as few knew anything about dancing. Before confusion became rife11 I proposed singing. My steward sung in the style of Incledon, and he was much applauded; and one of the marines, after the manner of Braham—he also had his share of applause and encores. Punch was now the order of the night, and, after laying in a good stock, they all ordered their canoes and paddled on shore, huzzaing the whole time. The Governor had taken his departure in one of the ship’s boats some time before, to avoid the uproar12. I shall not mention the toasts that were given; as we were all loyal and true, they were the quintessence of loyalty13. The morning before sailing I breakfasted at the Fort. The convoy, consisting of five sail, were ready. I bid an [pg 261]affectionate farewell to the Governor, who had been uniformly kind, and I was soon on board, where I found a note from the Honourable Captain Forbes, and one from the Governor. The first was to beg I would accept some excellent bacon, a beautiful live fawn14, and some cane15 mats. The last was accompanied by a fine crown bird, which stood five feet high, two dozen fowls16, and some Muscovy ducks. My feelings were quite overcome by so much genuine kindness, and I shall ever retain it in grateful recollection, and I have real pleasure in recording17 it in this narrative18.
I must not omit to inform my readers that during the time I was at Bence Island, which was the great mart for slave dealing19, forty of those unfortunate beings arrived, most of them half famished20. The principal merchant, who was a mulatto, told me that the greater part of them had been pledged for rice, which is the principal food in Africa, that they had not been redeemed21 at the time appointed, and in consequence had become the property of those who supplied the food. The remainder were those taken prisoners in the skirmishes occasioned by their trespassing22 on each other’s ground, particularly on the rice patches when the grain was nearly ripe. A black woman offered me her son, a boy about eleven years of age, for a cob—about four-and-sixpence. I gave her the money, and advised her to keep her son. Poor thing! she stared with astonishment23, and instantly gave me one of her earrings24, which was made of small shells. It was like [pg 262]the widow’s mite25, all she had to bestow26. We were soon under sail, and next morning Africa was as a dream; it was no longer seen.
During the passage in fine weather I myself or some of the officers visited the Guinea men, and found them orderly and clean, and the slaves healthy. On the seventh week we arrived at Barbadoes, saw Lady Rodney, Sally Neblet, and several more of the true Barbadian born, drawling, dignity ladies, who entreated27 in no very dignified28 manner to “hab de honour for wash for massa captain.” I gave the preference to the relict of Lord Rodney, as she was the oldest acquaintance, and remembered me when I was “a lilly piccaninny midshipman.” I paid my respects to the Admiral, Sir Alex. Cochrane, who asked me to dinner, where I met the Governor and some more bigwigs. The Admiral’s secretary, Maxwell, who appeared to have a snug29 berth30 in the country, requested me to dine with him the day after, and he sent a kittereen, or one-horse gig, for me. I met at dinner some brother officers and a few military men. Our entertainment did credit to the donor31, who appeared a hospitable32, frank kind of man. In the evening I went on board, and next morning received a chest of money for the troops at Tobago. At noon we cheered the flagship and sailed. On the evening of the following day we anchored at Tobago, got rid of the soldiers’ money, and sailed next morning for Trinidad, which we made the same evening, but owing to the strong current opposing us through [pg 263]the Boca Chien, or, as it is otherwise called, the Great Dragon’s Mouth, we did not gain the anchorage before noon on the following day.
On opening a sealed order I had received from the Commander-in-Chief at Barbadoes I found I was to take on board some casks of lime juice for the men of the hospitals of Jamaica. Thinks I to myself, this is what Mr. Hume would have, in the Commons House, called jobbery, and a poor kind of job it turned out; for, on inspecting the lime juice at Port Royal, some of it was condemned33 as unfit for use. The two days I remained at Trinidad I dined with the Governor, Sir Thos. Heslip, who was urbanity itself. I visited the pitch lake at this place, which is a most extraordinary phenomenon. I remarked several large chasms34 in it, where small fish were enjoying themselves. I was told by the officer who accompanied me that the pitch could not be applied35 to any use. Whilst we were looking at it one of the smaller chasms, or rents, closed with a bubbling noise, and the water above it appeared as if boiling. At daylight on the third day I sailed with the convoy for Jamaica, and anchored at Port Royal. The day after I waited on the Admiral at the Pen, where I dined, and met a number of my brother officers, whose conversation after dinner was principally respecting their ships. As the ship I commanded was healthy I was, if possible, determined36 to keep her so, and I requested permission to sail on a long cruise as soon as we were refitted. The Pen, or the Government House, [pg 264]where the Admiral resides, is about three short miles from Greenwich. It is enclosed in a park, and the views from it are extensive and beautiful. Some of my former parti-coloured beauties of Port Royal had gone on the other tack—that is, they had taken up their everlasting37 abode38 among the land crabs39 on the Palisades, and as I partook of those crustaceous fish I very possibly might have eaten some part of them. If I did, I thought them very good.
The yellow fever was making rapid strides on board the squadron. It fortunately did not reach us, and we sailed on the tenth day after our arrival. My cruising ground was between the north side of Jamaica and Cuba. I frequently sighted the Moro Castle at the entrance of the river where I was formerly40 taken prisoner and sent to the town of St. Jago. The good Spanish Governor’s kindness held a lively recollection in my memory, but the captain of an American vessel41 who had sailed from thence the day before I fell in with him, informed me that he was numbered with the dead. Peace to his “manes.” We had been out a fortnight when one afternoon we fell in with two large Spanish schooner42 privateers. They were to windward, and standing43 for St. Jago. “Now,” thought I, “if I can get you once under our guns, I will pay off old scores.” The sea breeze was fresh, and we were closing fast. They at first, I believe, took us for an American, as I had hoisted44 the Yankee colours. When they came nearly within gun-shot they, unfortunately for us, saw their mistake, and hauled in for the shore. I tacked45, and had got [pg 265]within gun-shot of them, when the lower fort of the Moro opened its fire on us, one of the shot passing through the main top-sail. They also fired, and their shot went over us. Finding the breeze lulling46, and that we had no hope of capturing them, I gave them our passing broadsides, and as one of them yawed, I had reason to believe some of our shot took effect. The battery gave us a parting salute47 without doing us injury, when, as the evening was closing, and the enemy’s vessels48 had run into the mouth of the river, I was obliged to haul off.
After blockading the mouth of the river for ten days without the slightest prospect49 of success, I anchored at Montego Bay, and procured50 fresh beef for the crew. During the two days I remained at anchor I was invited, with some of my officers, to the ball given by the inhabitants. It was well attended, and I was agreeably surprised to meet so many of my fair countrywomen, some of whom were handsome and still in their teens. I soon became acquainted with several respectable families, and if my heart had not been in safe keeping in beloved England by a still more beloved being, I fear I should have lost it. Montego Bay is well fortified51, and the town and its background, consisting of several ranges of hills and mountains, form a rich and pleasing picture. On the morning of the third day we sailed, and were soon on our former cruising ground. Off Ochre Bay we started a small Spanish privateer, which ran into a creek52. I sent the boats armed in pursuit of her, and after a smart contest of a quarter of an [pg 266]hour, in which the gunner and one of the men were wounded, they brought her out. The crew had landed and taken her gun—a six-pounder—with them, which did the mischief53 to our boats. The gun they threw into deep water, after having spiked54 it. She was a small schooner, about seventy-five tons. I kept her as a tender, put an eighteen-pound carronade, a master’s mate, and twenty men on board her, and a few days afterwards she captured a very pretty schooner coming round Cape55 Mayzi.
My time being expired, I bore up for Jamaica with my two prizes, and arrived at Port Royal on the second day. My health, which had been delicate since leaving Africa, began to decline, and I was tormented56 with a rash, particularly in my face, which affected57 my eyesight. I had, at different periods, been twelve years on the West India station, and I thought I had had a sufficient share of a torrid zone. The Admiral, hearing of my indisposition, invited me for change of air to the Pen. This kindness, however, did but little good to my health. One morning, as I was strolling in the Park, calling the crown bird I had given to the Admiral, and feeding him and some Cura?oa birds which were his companions, I was accosted58 by the captain of a sloop59 of war who was ordered to take a convoy of mahogany ships from Honduras to England, and in the course of conversation he mentioned that he understood I intended to give up my ship and invalid60. “Whoever informed you that I [pg 267]intended to invalid,” I replied, “must have laboured under a gross mistake. I would rather go to ‘Kingdom come’ quietly than run from my post.” “Well,” said he, “be it so, but if the Admiral were to consent to your exchanging with me, as I am almost a Johnny Newcome in this part of the world, and you are an old standard, would this accord with your way of thinking?” “As I am so unwell,” returned I, “it certainly is a great temptation, but we must both have the Admiral’s opinion and consent, and I will give you an answer in two days, provided I do not get better, and Fishly, the builder, shall give me his opinion respecting your sloop, whether Government, on my arrival in England, will consider her an effective ship.”
He met me at the builder’s at Port Royal the following day, when the latter assured me the ship’s repairs would be comparatively trifling61, and that he was certain, as those class of vessels were much wanted in the Channel, she would be kept in commission. Three days afterwards we effected the exchange, and I sailed to cruise again off Cuba for six weeks. Working up against a fiery62 sea breeze tries the minds of those on board as well as the rigging, masts and yards of His Majesty’s ships. A few top-masts sprung and yards carried away are trifles, and you may think yourself fortunate if it does not happen to a lower mast. We looked into Tiberoon, crossed over to Cape St. Nicholas Mole63, beat up between the island of Tortuga and the larger island, overhauled64 the Grange and Cape [pg 268]Fran?ois, took a small row-boat with six swivels and fourteen sharp-looking, smutty-coloured gentlemen, destroyed her, and bore up for the north side of Cuba, where we captured a small Balaker schooner, who informed us that a Spanish corvette of eighteen guns was lying at Barracow. I immediately proceeded off that port, and finding the information correct, sent her a challenge, and that I should remain three days waiting for her. I might as well have sent my defiance65 to the Eddystone lighthouse. She sent word that I might remain three years if I chose. The harbour was difficult to enter, and well fortified, otherwise her three years would not have been three hours before we were alongside of her. I remained a week watching her movements, which, by-the-bye, were no movements at all except that she had struck her top-masts and hauled further inshore. Finding hope, respecting her, hopeless, and our cruise at its last gasp66, I stood close in and fired a gun unshotted by way of showing our contempt, which probably the Spaniards laughed at, and made sail once more for Jamaica.
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1
convoy
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| vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队 | |
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2
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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7
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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8
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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steward
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| n.乘务员，服务员；看管人；膳食管理员 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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14
fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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16
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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22
trespassing
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| [法]非法入侵 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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donor
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| n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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crabs
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| n.蟹( crab的名词复数 )；阴虱寄生病；蟹肉v.捕蟹( crab的第三人称单数 ) | |
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40
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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41
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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42
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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43
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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44
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
tacked
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| 用平头钉钉( tack的过去式和过去分词 )； 附加，增补； 帆船抢风行驶，用粗线脚缝 | |
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46
lulling
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的现在分词形式） | |
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47
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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48
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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49
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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50
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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51
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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52
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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53
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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54
spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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56
tormented
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| 饱受折磨的 | |
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57
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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58
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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59
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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64
overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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65
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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