148 DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH. 
found in such abundance, that they might have 
disposed of their whole cargo for it ; and such 
appeared to be the most eligible course ; but 
Pinteado having adventured an opinion to that 
effect, Windham, seemingly out of pure contra- 
diction, determined upon proceeding to Benin, f 
In vain was he warned against that fatal shore, 
which, at all times deadly to an European consti- 
tution, would now become doubly so from the 
approach of the rainy season. Windham, instead 
of listening to Pinteado's remonstrances, applied 
to him afresh the epithet of Jew, and warned 
him, that unless he should pilot the fleet safely to 
Benin, he would cut off his ears, and nail them to 
the mast. To Benin he was safely piloted, and 
Pinteado undertook the charge of an embassy to 
the king, who lived at a little distance in the inte- 
rior. Meantime the climate began its ravages ; the 
fever of the country broke out ; and the men died 
three, four, and five in a day. Windham now^ sent 
to Pinteado, conjuring him to return instantly, 
that the crews might make their escape from this 
abode of death. Pinteado, however, who consi- 
dered himself to be in the heart of a most advan- 
tageous treaty, was unwilling to leave court till 
he had completed it, and craved a little delay. 
Windham appears to have been now transport- 
ed beyond all bounds of decency ; he broke into 
Pinteado's cabin, forced open his trunks, des- 
