SLAVES. 
345 
the channel; and however qualified to be the con- 
ductor of canoes, was useless for a vessel drawing six 
feet of water. Having threaded their way among 
numerous sandbanks, w^hich required no ordinary care, 
they anchored in the evening. 
On the 7th, they were enabled to make a fair pro- 
gress, and again anchored for the night. 
Early on the 8th the passage was resumed; but 
soon after weighing, it was discovered that the wrong 
channel had been entered, and in “winding” the vessel 
to get out of the diificulty, she grounded. The hedges 
were quickly laid out, and with the assistance of the 
engines, aided by the untiring zeal of the Commander 
and crew, soon succeeded in clearing the shoal, and 
reaching the mid channel by dark, where they again 
brought to for the night. While the vessel lay 
aground, an Aboh canoe came alongside, from which 
some provisions were purchased. On looking into her, 
a slave, bearing the mark of the Haussa nation, was 
observed chained to the bottom of the boat. Lieu- 
tenant Webb pointed out to the owner this breach of 
faith on the part of King Obi ; he did not wait for a 
further explanation, but moved off directly, quite 
pleased no doubt, to have escaped without loss of his 
little barque and cargo, which, according to the treaty, 
would have been forfeited. Captain Allen had sug- 
gested the propriety of not exasperating the natives, 
by seizing slaves in canoes, in case any were met with ; 
and it was considered more prudent to act on this 
