WEST INDIES. 
CHAP. IV.] 
329 
they come, consists either of Indian corn, or of 
rice or yams. Before noon they are constantly and 
regularly made to bathe in salt water, and nothing 
can be more agreeable and refreshing. Their dinner 
is varied, consisting sometimes of food to which 
they have been accustomed in Africa, as yams and 
Indian corn, &c. And at other times of provisions 
brought from Europe, as dried beans and pease, 
wheat, shelled barley, and biscuit; all these are 
boiled soft in steam, and mixed up with a sauce 
made of meat, with fish, or palm oil; this last is a 
constant and desirable article in their cookery. At 
each meal they are allowed as much as they can 
eat, and have likewise a sufficiency of fresh water; 
unless when, from an uncommon long voyage, the 
preservation of the ship compels the captain to put 
them to a short allowance. Drams also are given 
them when the weather is cold or wet; and pipes 
and tobacco whenever they desire them. In the 
intervals between their meals, they are encouraged 
to divert themselves with music and dancing; for 
which purpose such rude and uncouth instruments 
as are used in Africa, are collected before their de¬ 
parture; and they are also permitted to amuse 
themselves with games of chance, for which they 
are likewise furnished with implements of African 
invention. In sickness, the invalids are immediate¬ 
ly removed to the captain’s cabin, or to an hospital 
built near the forecastle; and treated with all the 
care, both in regard to medicine and food, that cir¬ 
cumstances will admit; and when, fortunately for 
the negroes, the ship touches at any place in her 
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