LAUGHABLE SCENE. 29 



tenant Allen, and myself, accordingly took quiet 

 possession of his house, and were making our- 

 selves exceedingly comfortable, when about nine 

 o'clock we were surprised by the sudden appear- 

 ance of Captain Harries, who, not being aware of 

 our intention of staying all night, had brought a 

 boat on shore for us. Immediately on landing 

 he was seized by the town-guard, who, it seemed, 

 had been watching our movements with some 

 suspicion during the day, and now appeared in 

 considerable force to insist upon our returning 

 onboard. A most laughable scene ensued, which 

 ended in our being turned out of our comfortable 

 quarters and marched under escort down to our 

 boat, — our fair hostess alternately abusing our 

 conductors for their breach of hospitality, and 

 threatening them with the consequence of their 

 conduct. 



Their reasons, however, appeared very good 

 when they were afterwards explained to us. It 

 is not uncommon for the liberated Africans to 

 be kidnapped by slave-vessels even when under 

 British protection, and our appearance being, to 

 say the least, novel, if not suspicious, the inha- 

 bitants in the absence of Mr. Pratt, beat to arms 

 for their own protection. 



