“This reflection is a most painful one. Looking at the matter with an unprejudiced eye, we must confess that this country has not so much to boast of after all. It is true we put down the traffic in human flesh. We abolished slavery—that is something to our credit.”
“Yes, but at what cost, Sir William?” cried Captain Crasher.
“Never mind the cost. It was done—and effectually done.”
“After much cost both in money and men,” said Crasher. “As we are all of us in what I may call an anecdotal or story-telling vein to-day, I will, if you please, tell you a story of the African slave trade.”
“Oh, do; there’s a good, dear soul!” cried Lady Marvlynn.
“By all means, madam, if our friends are agreeable.”
Everybody declared that they would esteem it a favour if the captain would go ahead; so he at once rushed into the following narrative:—
“Now I am going to tell you a story about ‘The Right of Search,’” said Crasher.
“The events I am about to describe,” said he, “date back to a period twenty years ago, at which time I was but a newly-appointed midshipman—the youngster of the larboard steerage-mess of the ship of war ‘Excellent,’ Captain David Hodge.
“As they relate to the right of search as applied to slavers, those of you who are familiar with the subject will pardon a word of explanation for the benefit of those who are not.