TREACHEROUS CONDUCT. 
371 
Lieutenant AVebb’s hands — acted like a talisman 
in deterring them from violence, and the boat was 
allowed to rejoin the vessel without further molestation. 
The messenger sent by King Obi had remained 
on board the ‘ Wilberforce,’ but seeing the galley on 
her way back, he hastily quitted in one of the canoes 
then alongside, on which Lieutenant Webb called out 
to those on board to prevent liis escape; Mr. Webb, 
the clerk in charge, with his usual promptitude, sprung 
forward with a musket, which he pointed at the 
fugitives, desiring them by gestures to return, but 
fearing the consequences, they all jumped overboard 
from the canoe, and swam for the bank, the high grass 
of which, would have effectually concealed them from 
view. At this juncture, one of the Krumen threw a 
boarding-pike at the messenger, who avoided the 
stroke by diving, and continued his course ; but the 
galley just then coming up, he was seized by the 
crew, and brought on board as a prisoner. There 
seemed to be every probability that this messenger 
had been sent to the vessel as a decoy, aware of the 
hostile intentions of his master, and perhaps ready to 
take advantage of any opportunity when Lieutenant 
Webb was captured, to have called the people out 
of the canoes, on board, and thus have secured the 
vessel. He was therefore put into irons; and as a 
punishment for his part of the treacherous scheme, as 
well as in the prospect of eliciting some information 
about Mr. Oarr, was to be carried on to Fernando Po. 
2 B 2 
