32 KROOMEN ENGAGED. 



gentlemen were seized during the night with 

 spasmodic colic; which so alarmed Mr. Pratt 

 and me, that we despatched a canoe for Dr. 

 Briggs of the Quorra, who came on shore imme- 

 diately in a torrent of rain, and by administering 

 powerful remedies in some measure relieved 

 them, though both were much weakened by the 

 violence of the attack. 



On the 12th, having taken sufficient fuel on 

 board, we ran up to Free Town, leaving the 

 Alburkah at York. Here we were immediately 

 boarded by some of the gentlemen belonging to 

 the colony, who had heard of our being at the 

 Isles de Los from the schooner we had left there. 



No sooner had we anchored off Free Town 

 than our decks were crowded with Kroomen anx- 

 iously beseeching us for employment. Among 

 others were some bumboat women screaming out 

 recommendations of their fruit and palm-wine, 

 and washerwomen of rather equivocal appearance 

 proffering their services. Captain Harries imme- 

 diately selected ten Kroomen who had previous- 

 ly served on board his Majesty's vessels, and 

 had good characters from their old commanders. 

 Before engaging them, they were informed of 

 the nature of the service for which they were 



