340 RESORT OF THE SLAVERS. 



from which the Spanish vessels take in their car- 

 goes of human traffic. Barracoon Point forms a 

 kind of bay, and the tall trees lining the bank 

 effectually conceal any vessel from the view of a 

 man-of-war off this river ; and unless the boats en- 

 ter it and go up to the point, the chances are that 

 the slave-dealers are never seen. There is also 

 a narrow creek above this which is highly favour- 

 able for concealment. I have been informed that 

 two boats from an English man-of-war came into 

 the river and landed at Cassa, or Pilot Town, on 

 the east side, without any suspicion of a slaver 

 being concealed in the above creek : they shortly 

 went away again, and on the following day the 

 slaver took her slaves on board and made her 

 escape. Opposite the house, within a few yards 

 of it, a well has been sunk, about three feet deep, 

 the water of which produces diarrhoea and dysen- 

 tery with slight attacks of fever. I recommended 

 all the water to be boiled before use ; and after 

 that was done, we enjoyed better health. 



About this time I received a message from 

 King Jacket, of Brass, stating that our being an- 

 chored near the mouth of the river prevented 

 slave-vessels from entering, at which he was not 

 pleased. But the natives were very anxious to 



