ADAMS. 115 



bwiks, and without either port or shelter. On one of thesa 

 banks the American ship Charles struck on the morning 

 of 11th October, 1810, and was so surrounded by breakers 

 as to leave no hope of escaping a total wreck. The sailors 

 swam ashore, but soon after daybreak were attacked by a 

 band of Moors, a race ever on the watch for plunder. The 

 captain was killed, apparently in consequence of rash and 

 violent behaviour ; but the crew were taken prisoners, and 

 divided among the captors. Adams, one of the sailors, ac- 

 cording to his own statement, was carried to the border of 

 Bambarra, where the Moors, who, by the practice of slave- 

 stealing, had roused the hostility of the natives, were sur- 

 prised, made captive, and, after four days' confinement, 

 marched to Timbuctoo. The companions of Adams, after 

 being presented to the king, were thrown into prison ; but 

 he himself, being regarded as a curiosity, was retained in 

 the palace, where he became a particular favourite of the 

 queen, who used to sit gazing at him for hours. He re- 

 mained there six months, well treated, and even caressed, 

 when a party of Moorish traders arrived, ransomed their 

 countrymen, and Adams along with them. The caravan 

 reached Taudeny m thirteen days ; after which it was 

 obliged to march twenty-nine da3'^s over a tract of desert, 

 where there was neither plant nor shrub, a blade of grass, 

 nor a drop of water. Finding the spring dry, the prospect 

 of which had sustained their hope, they gave way to the 

 deepest despair ; some perished, and the rest dispersed in 

 search of water. Adams, having reached Ved Duleem, fell 

 again under the power of the wild wanderers of the desert, 

 and was carried from place to place, suffering extreme hard- 

 ships ; but at length he found, at Wedinoon, three of his 

 old shipmates, who, like himself, were immediately libe-. 

 rated by the humane interposition of M. Dupuis, British 

 consul at Mogadore. He proceeded thence to London, in 

 the \aew of obtaining a passage for America, and was found 

 in the streets of that capital by a gentleman who took a 

 deep interest in African affairs, and who communicated the 

 fact to Mr. Cox, secretary to the Association. Adams was 

 then strictly examined, and his statements taken down in 

 writing; while M. Dupuis, the consul, who happened to be 

 in London, confirmed the general fact of the shipwreck and 

 captivity. Hence there appeared little room to doubt the 



