The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-13
BoAT-ExcURsIoN INTO tt

BOAT-EXCURsrON INTO THE
CONGO.
Our shippers instructions were TO the
fleet that he was, in the first instance,
report himself TO the governor Of Sier-
Leone: and IL was to that port, there
pre-. that we now made the best OF our
ray.
The breeze with which we started car
ed us handsomely down channel and
alf-way across the Bay OF Biscay, and
he ship proving 10 be regular flyer.
Everybody. from the skipper downwards,
'as I'm the very best OF spirits. Then
anne a change. the wind backing out
rom 8. w. with squally weather which
laced US at once upon taut bowline:
nd simultaneously with this change Of
'eather a most disagreeable discovery
sas made. namely. that the Daphne was
N exceedingly crank ship.
However. we accomplished the passage in
little over three weeks: and after re-
haining at Sierra Leone for few hours
My, proceeded FOR the mouth OF the
'ongo. off which we expected 10 fall In
With the Fawn. which ship we had been
ent out 10 relieve. Proceeding under
asy canvas, I'm the hope OF picking up a
rize by the way-in which hope however,
We were appointed--we reached our
destination in "a days from SerrT Leone;
lighting the Fawn at daybreak and clos
ng with her an hour afterwards Her
kipper came on board the Daphne and
emained 10 breakfast with Captain Yer
ION, whom-our skipper being a total
stranger to the coast-he posted up pretty
thoroughly in the current news, as well
such OF the "dodges" OF the slavers
he had happened To have picked up.
u ha4 ot hn
o ships I'm the river. but that intelligence
whether trustworthy or not. however,
q could not state-had reached him Of
he daily-expected arrival OF three ships
rom Cuba. He also confirmed a very
Extraordinary story which had been told
BUR skipper by the governor OF Sierra
cone. TO the effect that large cargoes
" slaves. known TO have been collected
N shore up the river. awaiting the arrival
bf the slavers, had from time 10 time
disappeared in a most mysterious manner.
II times when, as far as could he ascer-
ained. no craft but men-o'-war were
anywhere near the neighborhood. At
boon the Fawn filled away and bore up
FOR Jamaica-whither she was TO proceed
preparatory to returning home 10 be paid
bff-her crew manning the rigging and
giving us a parting cheer as she did so:
|hnd two hours later her royals dipped be-
ow the horizon. and we were left alone
n our glory.
On parting from the Fawn we filed
way again upon the starboard tack. the
wind being of the shore, and at noon
brought the ship TO an anchor In nine
fathoms OF water off Padron Point (the
projecting headland on the southern side
pr the rivers MOUTH at a distance Of
two miles only from the shore The order
WAS then given for the men 10 go 20
.1inner as soon as that meal could be got
ready, II being understood that. notwith-
ftanding the Fawn's assurance az 10 there
Being no ships in the river, our skipper
Intended to satisfy himself OF that fact
by actual examination. Moreover. the
Deserted state OF the river afforded us
I'm excellent oportunity for making an
numolested exploration OF it-making its
fcquaintance, so to speak. in order that
ft any future time, II occasion should
rise. we might be able to make a dash
| nto IL without feeling that we were do
ng so absolutely bllndfold
At 1880 y. m. the gig was piped away:
PR. Austin being in charge. with me for
IN aide. all hands being fully armed.
The wind had BY this time died away
r. dead calm: the sun was blazing down
Upon us as N determined TO roast us as
I'VE sat, and we had n long pull before
|s, for although the ship Law only two
miles from the shore. we had 20 round a
ow spit. called. as Mr. Austin Informed
|me. Shark Point six miles away. IN a
|northeasterly direction, before We could