ARRIVAL AT FERNANDO PO. 347 



the Pluto, which vessel had sailed a short time 

 before. This vessel was a slaver, and would 

 perhaps have taken between five and six hundred 

 poor wretches.* The masters of slavers gene- 

 rally endeavour to be on the coast about the 

 months of July and August, when the new yams 

 come into season. 



Owing to the attraction of the compass, we 

 ran too far to the southward ; and, after wan- 

 dering about out of our course, we arrived at 

 Fernando Po in the evening of the 9th of July. 



The governor. Colonel Nicolls, invited me to 

 his house, where I remained during my stay at 

 Fernando Po. I have to express my thanks to 

 that gentleman and Captain Becroft for their 

 many kindnesses to me while there. The Kroo- 

 men were paid off, and the Alburkah was moored 

 nearer the Quorra, 



The brig Mars, Captain Irving, was expected 

 to sail in a month after my arrival, and arrange- 



* I have since understood this vessel was the Formidable, 

 which was afterwards taken by H. M. S. Buzzard, after a 

 severe action. On my arrival at Fernando Po, I found 

 H. M. S. Pelorus, Commander Meredith : I gave him a de- 

 scription of the vessel, and at night he went in pursuit of 

 her, as also did the Forrester, which arrived the same 

 evening. 



