She was an old boat, and known to me, but
not the whole story of her. I signed as mate. We were bound for the
W. Coast, about 50 leagues E. of Cape Corse Castle, with gunpowder
and old firearms for the natives, that were most always at war with
one another. Ran coastwise and touched at three or four places on
the way, and at each of them peddled powder and muskets, the muskets
being most profitable, by reason the blacks have no notion of
repairing a gun. So we, carrying a gunsmith on board, bought up at
one place the guns that wanted repairs, and sold them at the next for
new pieces. In this way we came to our destination, which was the
mouth of a river full of slime and mosquitoes, and called the Popo
River. There a whole tribe of niggers put out to receive us.
They knew the _Mary Pynsent_, and worse luck. Her last trip, when
owned by Mr. W. S., aforesaid, she had sold them 1500 kegs of sifted
sea-coal dust, passing it off for gunpowder, and had made off with
7000 pounds worth of gold dust, besides ivory, _white and black_,
before they discovered the trick. We being without knowledge of what
had happened, and having real gunpowder to sell, let the niggers
swarm on board, and welcome. Whereupon, in revenge for past usage,
they attacked us on the spot and clubbed all the crew but me, that
was getting out the boat under the seaward quarter and baling her,
but dived as soon as the murder began, and swam to the shore.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194