CHAPTER VI. 
UP THE CONGO RIVER.—THE SLAVE DEPOT, PORTO 
DA LENHA.—ARRIVAL AT BOM A. 
PARROT was as good as his word. 
By August 31st, “ F’Esperance,” a fine 
schooner-rigged palhabote (launch) of 
thirty-five tons, heavily sparred and car¬ 
rying lots of “ muslin,” was ready to receive my 
outfit. The party consisted of the commander, Mr. 
Bigley, and five chosen “ Griffons, 0 including 
William Deane, boatswain’s mate, as good a man 
as his namesake in Blake’s day, and the estimable 
Friend, captain’s cook and Figaro in general. M. 
Pissot, an Arlesien, clerk to the factory, went up 
on business with a crew of eight useless Cabindas 
under Frank, their pagan “ patron,” who could 
only run us aground. Finally, there was a guard 
of half-a-dozen “ Laptots,” equally good sailors and 
soldiers. The French squadron in West Africa has 
the advantage over ours of employing these men, 
11 . 
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