FIRST VIEW OF AFRICA. 27

giant monarch of the tropical forest, the silk cotton
tree, stretching its mighty limbs upwards towards
the sky, and far and wide around. Such was my
first view of the African coast.

‘Well, what do you think of it?’ asked Captain
Willis. ©

‘It looks better than I expected,’ I said. * But
I don’t see how we are ever to reach it, much less
carry on any trade with the people. How can we
possibly send any goods on shore?’ :

‘You will see presently,’ he answered. ‘ We
have hoisted our trading signal, and before long we
shall have plenty of dealers along side unless some
other vessel has been before us; if so, we may
have to wait some days till the black merchants
can bring more goods down from the interior. The
people about here are imbued with the very spirit
of commerce. They understand too how to make
a sharp bargain. We have to be wide awake, or,
naked savages as they are, they will contrive to
outwit us.’

Our various assortments of cotton and other
goods had been got up from the hold ready for the
expected trade. The captain had also taken ont
from his strong box a supply of sovereigns and