CAPTAIN TUCKEY'S NARRATIVE. 77 



the sea breeze being still fresh, we loosed and set all the sails, 

 and let go another anchor, which brought her up. During 

 the night the wind remained light at S. W., and the ship Avas 

 steered as if under way, though riding taught with all sail 

 set. The Congo, without dithculty, went over the current, 

 and might have run up to the Tall trees, had her signal not 

 been made to come to, and she accordingly anchored op- 

 posite Sherwood's Creek, 



At four o'clock this afternoon, a schooner appeared off 

 the point, hoisted Spanish colours, and fired a gun ; after 

 laying to for some time, she hoisted the royal colours of 

 Spain, fired a shot, which fell near the transport, and ran 

 in and anchored. A boat was immediately sent from her 

 to ask what we were, and on being informed, they made 

 some excuse for firing the shot, intended, as they said, to 

 assure the colours ; their vessel, by their account, was from 

 the Havannah for slaves; but it was perfectly evident, from 

 their answers to my questions, that she was illicitly em- 

 ployed in this trade, and prepared to carry it on by force, 

 being armed with 12 guns, and full of men : this was indeed 

 put out of doubt on the return of her boat on board, by her 

 getting under way and again running out of the river; 

 doubtless from apprehension of the sloop of war, which they 

 were told was gone up the river. This vessel was destined 



