Latter into the Rodeur, where, on account of the cargo
of negroes, there was scarcely room for themselves. The vessels
therefore soon parted company, and the Leon was never seen nor heard
of again, so far as could be traced at the publication of this
narrative. In all probability, then, it was lost. On the fate of
THIS vessel the poem is founded.
The Rodeur reached Guadaloupe on the 21st of June, 1819, her crew
being in a most deplorable condition. Of the negroes, thirty-seven
had become perfectly blind, twelve had lost each an eye, and
fourteen remained otherwise blemished by the disease. Of the crew,
twelve, including the surgeon, had entirely lost their sight; five
escaped with an eye each, and four were partially injured.
Footnotes:
{1} I should have before observed that I found the language of
Bambarra a sort of corrupted Mandingo. After a little practice, I
understood and spoke it without difficulty.
{2} There is another town of this name hereafter to be mentioned.
{3} From a plant called kabba, that climbs like a vine upon the
trees.
{4} Soon after baptism the children are marked in different parts
of the skin, in a manner resembling what is called tattooing in the
South Sea Islands.
