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264 African Memoranda. t 17 9_ 3 ;, and Dowlah, who had made him their confidant, of their inten- Tuesday, tion of deserting me : the latter told him that he should leave Oct. Bissao the first opportunity, the former said that he would not run away, as by that means he should forfeit his wages, and that he could not afford to lose so much money; but said he, I have my box already packed up, ready to put in the boat, and I listen with attention to hear any noise or riot on shore in the night; and then, he observed, he should put his box in the boat and scull over to the opposite shore, not only with his own things, but that he should take something else as an equivalent to his wages ; and why should he not, he asked, “ for you must all be killed, and I may as well get something by it as any body else.” Mr. Hood further told me that Peter meant to leave me y in about six weeks and go to Geba. Thus have two resolved shortly to leave me, and a third, (the only sailor I have, and who of course commands the cutter) at the very moment when I should stand most in need of his assistance, in the very mo ment that I should be attacked. This is an unheard of piece of cowardice and treachery. He will not desert me when it would not be of much importance—in a moment of peace; no; he will remain so long as we are all quiet, and time his desertion at a moment which will give spirits to our adversaries, and de press those of the remaining people. He will not only avoid assisting me, but inspire my enemies with confidence, and con tribute all in his power to their success. This conversation took place about eight o’clock, and a few hours afterwards, that is, about midnight, we were alarmed by the man in the cutter, who said that he heard the Bijugas on shore. The grumetas corro borated his assertion, and we were under arms all night, but saw nothing of them to day. Petei' tells me that had the Biju-