ARRIVAL AT SIERRA LEONE. 313 



I left go of his arm he dropped nearly fainting into 

 the bottom of the boat, but soon recovered his 

 tongue, for after delivering himself of a string of 

 oaths and imprecations, he declared that he would 

 have the steamer up before the Court at Sierra 

 Leone. Had he only seen my face, and recognised 

 it, I have no doubt but that he would have " taken 

 the law " against me, and had the case come before 

 " the Evangelical," (if I had not sang through the 

 nose at his schism-shop), I should have been cast 

 and fined fifty pounds, for " attempted nigger-cide," 

 and there is no appeal when the decision is for a 

 less amount than £200. Such is the state of things 

 in " the niggers' paradise," 



Skelton's own gig took us ashore, and we landed 

 at Heddle's wharf, where it was as much as I could 

 do to keep my hands off the impudent baboon- 

 like loafers congregated on the steps, who addressed 

 us in the most disgustingly familiar language, 

 such as " Daddie want for see tittie ; * um berry 

 liller piccaninny ; too much young ; give me dash ; 

 I go bring ; " — and hustled poor Mrs. Skelton until 



* Tittie, little sister. 



