56 THE AFRICAN TRADER.

in a respectful manner, he asked after Captain
Willis. ‘He know me, Paul Balingo. I sail once
with him some time ago. He kind man, so I come
again.’ I told him that the captain was rather
unwell. He had charged me not to let the blacks
fancy that he had the fever. I added, that I
was sure he would be glad to see him in the
cabin.

‘I go when you tell I come on board,’ answered
Paul. ‘Sorry to hear him ill.’

‘Oh, he says its nothing,’ I observed, ‘and as
soon as the tide serves we are to go down the
river, and put to sea.’

I made this remark in obedience to the cap-
tain’s instructions. JI now gave directions to the
black boatswain to get the cargo stowed without
delay.

The captain was much pleased to hear that
Paul Balingo had joined the vessel, and said he
would see him at once. ‘I remember him well,’
he observed, ‘a good steady fellow,’

I told Paul to come down, and he received a
friendly welcome. I then reminded the captain
that there was another duty to be performed. It
was to bury the men who had died during the