50 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

perhaps that will put him to rights,’ answered the
captain, laughing. ‘ Now, Harry, don’t let me hear
any more of this sort of thing; I have bother
enough with these black traders without having to
listen to the fancies of my own people.’

I told the mate what the captain had said. ‘If
the vessel does get away at the time he mentioned,
I hope that I may be able to help in taking her to
sea, if not, mark my words Harry, there will be a
good many more of us down with the fever. He
spoke too truly. The traders continued to arrive
but slowly, as before, with their oil. The captain
waited and waited like an angler anxious to catch
more fish. Before the week was over the second
mate was dead, and we had only two men fit for
duty on board.