Captain Canot; Or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver
mettle, by keeping my course, firing a gun, and hoisting my Spanish
signals at peak and main.
At this time the San Pablo was spinning along finely at the rate of
about six knots an hour, when a shot from the schooner fell close to
our stern. In a moment I ordered in studding-sails alow and aloft, and
as my men had been trained to their duty in man-of-war fashion, I
hoped to impose on the cruiser by the style and perfection of the
manoeuvre. Still, however, she kept her way, and, in four hours
after discovery, was within half gun-shot of the brig.
Hitherto I had not touched my armament, but I selected this moment to
load under the enemy's eyes, and, at the word of command, to fling
open the ports and run out my barkers. The act was performed to a
charm by my well-drilled gunners; yet all our belligerent display had
not the least effect on the schooner, which still pursued us. At last,
within hail, her commander leaped on a gun, and ordered me to "heave
to, or take a ball!"
Now, I was prepared for this arrogant command, and, for half an hour,
had made up my mind how to avoid an engagement. A single discharge of
my broadside might have sunk or seriously damaged our antagonist, but
the consequences would have been terrible if he boarded me, which I
believed to be his aim.
Accordingly, I paid no attention to the threat, but taughtened my
ropes and surged ahead. Presently, my racing chaser came up _under my
lee_ within pistol-shot, when a reiterated command to heave to or be
fired on, was answered for the first time by a faint "_no
intiendo_,"--"I don't understand you,"--while the man-of-war shot
ahead of me.
_Then I had him!_ Quick as thought, I gave the order to "square away,"
and putting the helm up, struck the cruiser near the bow, carrying
away her foremast and bowsprit. Such was the stranger's surprise at my
daring trick that not a musket was fired or boarder stirred, till we
were clear of the wreck. It was then too late. The loss of my jib-boom
and a few rope-yarns did not prevent me from cracking on my
studding-sails, and leaving the lubber to digest his stupid
_forbearance_!
This adventure was a fitting epitaph for the stormy life of our poor
commander, who died on the following night, and was buried under a
choice selection of the flags he had honored with his various
nationalities. A few days after the blue water had closed over him for
ever, our cargo was safely ensconced in the _hacienda_ nine miles east
of St. Jago de Cuba, while the San Pablo was sent adrift and burnt to
the water's edge.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The beneficent disposition of my late commander, though not a regular
testament, was carried out in Cuba, and put me in possession of twelve
thousand dollars as my share of the enterprise. Yet my restless spirit
did not allow me to remain idle. Our successful voyage had secured me
scores of friends among the Spanish slavers, and I received daily
applications for a fresh command.
But the plans of my French friend had so bewitched me with a desire
for imitation, that I declined subordinate posts and aspired to
ownership. Accordingly, I proposed to the proprietor of a large
American clipper-brig, that we should fit her on the same system as
the San Pablo; yet, wishing to surpass my late captain in commercial
success, I suggested the idea of fighting for our cargo, or, in
plainer language, of relieving another slaver of her living freight, a
project which promptly found favor with the owner of "LA CONCHITA."
The vessel in question originally cost twelve thousand dollars, and I
proposed to cover this value by expending an equal sum on her outfit,
in order to constitute me half owner.
The bargain was struck, and the armament, sails, additional spars,
rigging, and provisions went on board, with prudential secrecy.
Inasmuch as we could not leave port without some show of a cargo,
merchandise _in bond_ was taken from the public warehouses, and,
after being loaded in our hold during day, was smuggled ashore again
at night. As the manoeuvre was a trick of my accomplice, who
privately gained by the operation, I took no notice of what was
delivered or taken away.
Finally, all was ready. Forty-five men were shipped, and the Conchita
cleared. Next day, at daybreak, I was to sail with the land-breeze.
A sailor's last night ashore is proverbial, and none of the customary
ceremonies were omitted on this occasion. There was a parting supper
with plenty of champagne; there was a visit to the _cafe_; a farewell
call here, another there, and a bumper every where. In fact, till two
in the morning, I was busy with my adieus; but when I got home at
last, with a thumping headache, I was met at the door by a note from
my partner, stating that our vessel was seized, and an order issued
for my arrest. He counselled me to keep aloof from the _alguaziles_,
till he could arrange the matter with the custom-house and police.
I will not enlarge this chapter of disasters. Next day, my accomplice
was lodged in prison for his fraud, the vessel confiscated, her outfit
sold, and my purse cropped to the extent of twelve thousand dollars. I
had barely time to escape before the officers were in my lodgings; and
I finally saved myself from an acquaintance with the interior of a
Cuban prison, by taking another name, and playing _ranchero_ among the
hills for several weeks.
* * * * *
My finances were at low-water mark, when I strolled one fine morning
into Matanzas, and, after some delay, again obtained command of a
slaver, through the secret influence of my old and trusty friends. The
new craft was a dashing schooner, of one hundred and twenty tons,
fresh from the United States, and intended for Ayudah on the Gold
Coast. It was calculated that we might bring home at least four
hundred and fifty slaves, for whose purchase, I was supplied
plentifully with rum, powder, English muskets, and rich cottons from
Manchester.
In due time we sailed for the Cape de Verds, the usual "port of
despatch" on such excursions; and at Praya, exchanged our flag for the
Portuguese, before we put up our helm for the coast. A British cruiser
chased us fruitlessly for two days off Sierra Leone, and enabled me
not only to test the sailing qualities, but to get the _sailing trim_
of the "Estrella," in perfection. So confident did I become of the
speed and bottom of my gallant clipper, that I ventured, with a
leading wind, to chase the first vessel I descried on the horizon, and
was altogether deceived by the tri-color displayed at her peak.
Indeed, I could not divine this novel nationality, till the speaking
trumpet apprised us that the lilies of France had taken triple hues in
the hands of Louis Philippe! Accordingly, before I squared away for
Ayudah, I saluted the _royal republican_, by lowering my flag thrice
to the new divinity.
* * * * *
I consigned the Estrella to one of the most remarkable traders that
ever expanded the African traffic by his genius.
Senor Da Souza,--better known on the coast and interior as
Cha-cha,--was said to be a native mulatto of Rio Janeiro, whence he
emigrated to Dahomey, after deserting the arms of his imperial master.
I do not know how he reached Africa, but it is probable the fugitive
made part of some slaver's crew, and fled from his vessel, as he had
previously abandoned the military service in the delicious clime of
Brazil. His parents were poor, indolent, and careless, so that Cha-cha
grew up an illiterate, headstrong youth. Yet, when he touched the soil
of Africa, a new life seemed infused into his veins. For a while, his
days are said to have been full of misery and trouble, but the
Brazilian slave-trade happened to receive an extraordinary impetus
about that period; and, gradually, the adventurous refugee managed to
profit by his skill in dealing with the natives, or by acting as
broker among his countrymen. Beginning in the humblest way, he stuck
to trade with the utmost tenacity till he ripened into an opulent
factor. The tinge of native blood that dyed his complexion, perhaps
qualified him peculiarly for this enterprise. He loved the customs of
the people. He spoke their language with the fluency of a native. He
won the favor of chief after chief. He strove to be considered a
perfect African among Africans; though, among whites, he still
affected the graceful address and manners of his country. In this way,
little by little, Cha-cha advanced in the regard of all he dealt with,
and secured the commissions of Brazil and Cuba, while he was regarded
and protected as a prime favorite by the warlike king of Dahomey.
Indeed, it is alleged that this noted sovereign formed a sort of
devilish compact with the Portuguese factor, and supplied him with
every thing he desired during life, in consideration of inheriting his
wealth when dead.
But Cha-cha was resolved, while the power of enjoyment was still
vouchsafed him, that all the pleasures of human life, accessible to
money, should not be wanting in Ayudah. He built a large and
commodious dwelling for his residence on a beautiful spot, near the
site of an abandoned Portuguese fort. He filled his establishment with
every luxury and comfort that could please the fancy, or gratify the
body. Wines, food, delicacies and raiment, were brought from Paris,
London, and Havana. The finest women along the coast were lured to his
settlement. Billiard tables and gambling halls spread their wiles, or
afforded distraction for detained navigators. In fine, the mongrel
Sybarite surrounded himself with all that could corrupt virtue,
gratify passion, tempt avarice, betray weakness, satisfy sensuality,
and complete a picture of incarnate slavery in Dahomey.
When he sallied forth, his walk was always accompanied by considerable
ceremony. An officer preceded him to clear the path; a fool or buffoon
hopped beside him; a band of native musicians sounded their discordant
instruments, and a couple of singers screamed, at the top of their
voices, the most fulsome adulation of the mulatto.
Numbers of vessels were, of course, required to feed this African
nabob with doubloons and merchandise. Sometimes, commanders from Cuba
or Brazil would be kept months in his perilous nest, while their craft
cruised along the coast, in expectation of human cargoes. At such
seasons, no expedient was left untried for the entertainment and
pillage of wealthy or trusted idlers. If Cha-cha's board and wines
made them drunkards, it was no fault of his. If _rouge et noir_, or
_monte_, won their doubloons and freight at his saloon, he regretted,
but dared not interfere with the amusements of his guests. If the
sirens of his harem betrayed a cargo for their favor over cards, a
convenient fire destroyed the frail warehouse after its merchandise
was secretly removed!
Cha-cha was exceedingly desirous that I should accept his hospitality.
As soon as I read my invoice to him,--for he could not do it
himself,--he became almost irresistible in his _empressement_. Yet I
declined the invitation with firm politeness, and took up my quarters
on shore, at the residence of a native _manfuca_, or broker. I was
warned of his allurements before I left Matanzas, and resolved to keep
myself and property so clear of his clutches, that our contract would
either be fulfilled or remain within my control. Thus, by avoiding his
table, his "hells," and the society of his dissipated sons, I
maintained my business relations with the slaver, and secured his
personal respect so effectually, that, at the end of two months, four
hundred and eighty prime negroes were in the bowels of La Estrella.[5]
FOOTNOTE:
[5] Da Souza died in May, 1849. Commander Forbes, R. N., in his book