Travels Of Richard And John Lander Into The Interior Of Africa For The Discovery Of The Course And Termination Of The Niger By Robert Huish
- Page 562 of 587 - First - Home
Everything Being Prepared For Their Departure They Embarked On Board
The Carnarvon, - Garth, Commander, For Rio Janeiro.
The Landers speak
in terms of high commendation of the conduct observed towards them,
during their stay at Fernando, by Mr. Becroft, Mr. Crichton, and Mr.
Beatty.
Everything was supplied them which the place could afford,
and it was always a source of gratification to them to reflect on the
time that they passed in their society.
Having taken leave of their friends, they embarked and bade adieu to
the island of Fernando Po. Mr. Stockwell, the officer of marines,
accompanied them on board, having taken his passage like themselves
to return to England. Their crew consisted of seven European seamen,
two free negroes and one Krooman, besides the commander of the vessel
and two mates. So great, however, was the mortality amongst them,
that before a week had elapsed, the two Landers with the three black
men were all that were left to work the vessel, and one of them only
knew how to steer. Richard Lander was obliged to take the helm until
twelve at night, and every morning after four, having only a few
minutes allowed him to take a hasty meal, and in addition to their
troubles, the vessel was so completely over-run with rats, that it
was quite impossible to stay below with any comfort, and as for
sleeping there, it was wholly out of the question.
On the evening of the 14th March, the Krooman fell into the sea. This
poor fellow, whose name was Yellow Will, called loudly to them for
help, and although the vessel was not sailing at a great rate, he
missed every thing that was thrown overboard to save him. To have
altered the ship's course would have endangered the masts and sails,
and their small boat was so leaky that it would not swim. They had
therefore no alternative, but were obliged to abandon him to his fate
with the most painful feelings, and they heard his cries nearly an
hour afterwards. [Footnote] There is nothing more distressing than an
accident of this nature. To see an unfortunate man grasping in vain
at any thing which is thrown to him, as the ship passes by him, to
see him struggling against his fate as he rises on the distant wave,
which frequently conceals him from view, and to be unable to render
him the least assistance, whilst his cries die away in the breeze,
raise sensations which it is impossible to describe. This man in the
condition in which they then were, particularly, was a great loss to
them, and was the best amongst the black people.
[Footnote: We have given this as it is stated in Lander's Narrative,
but there is something highly improbable in the circumstance of the
cries of a man, who could not swim, being heard for an hour after his
immersion in the sea, and yet that during that time no effectual
means could be devised for his deliverance.]
On the morning of the 15th, the weather was very hazy, which
prevented them seeing the land, although they knew it to be at no
great distance from them.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 562 of 587
Words from 296113 to 296645
of 309561