54 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

I had, indeed, for some time past been performing
the duties of mate, supercargo, steward, and not
unfrequently helping the black cook, Sambo, and,
indeed, lending a hand to everything which required
to be done. Now Sambo and I were literally the
only two people capable of working on board.
The captain himself I feared greatly had got the
fever, notwithstanding his assertions to the con-
trary. It was surprising that I, the youngest in
the ship, and least inured to the climate, should
have escaped. I had always been very healthy ;
had never done anything to hurt my constitution,
and had followed the captain’s advice in keeping
out of the sun, and was inclined to feel somewhat
self-satisfied on that account—not considering that
it was owing to God’s mercy and loving-kindness
that I had been preserved.

The captain said he would go and see Raven;
but having got up, after moving a few paces, he
sat down again with a groan, and a deadly palour
came over his countenance. He felt that he, too,
had got the fever. J advised him to lie down
again and rest, but to that he would not consent.
He was determined to carry on the trade as usual

during the day, and to get ready for sea as soon