We lost sight of land in a few hours, but I knew not where we were bound, and Manuel’s reserved behaviour prevented me from making any inquiry. He walked upon deck all day with folded arms, and scarcely ever raised his eyes, except to look at the compass, or give directions to the helmsman.
The schooner, which was named the Esperanza, was about one hundred and twenty tons burden, carried six guns, and had forty-three men on board of her, and several boys. There appeared to be very little discipline among the crew; all of whom amused themselves in any way, and in any place, they chose, except when the working of the vessel required their attention. The presence of the captain did not impose any restraint upon them; and one who was called the mate snatched a chart unceremoniously from his hand, and told him he did not know what he was about, without receiving any reproof for his insolence. A number of the negroes lay round the fire, roasting ears of Indian corn, which were eagerly snatched off the embers the moment they were ready. An expression of disgusting sensuality characterised this part of the crew; and they looked as if they were strangers to retrospection and anticipation, and felt existence only in so far as the passing moment was concerned. One man, of a mild aspect, sat at a distance from the others, and played upon an old guitar. Many were half naked, and I could distinguish the marks of the whip on the shoulders of some of them. The limbs of others had been distorted by the weight and galling of fetters, as was evident from the indentations exhibited by their flesh.
On awaking the second morning of the voyage, I found that Manuel was still asleep. The difficulty of the navigation had obliged him to keep on deck all night, that he might direct the course of the vessel, and he was now reposing himself after the fatigues of his long watch. The crew were preparing breakfast, and conversing together.
Some dispute took place about the distribution of the provisions, and one of them called the other a rascally runaway. “You lie,” cried the accused person, “I guess you’re something worse yourself, Philip.”—“You had as well be quiet, Antony. Has any body anything to say against me?”—“Why, that you’re a Yankey slave, that’s all,” returned Philip. “Damn you,” cried he, “I’m a free man—yes, free and independent.” Here they all laughed loudly, and he demanded with fury who would venture to contradict him, or to assert that he had a master. “Why, we know well enough you ha’n’t a master now, you pricked him under the ribs,” replied one of the crew. This excited another laugh, and Antony cried, “Curse you for a niger—belike I’ll do the same to you.”—“Don’t be calling me a niger,” said Philip, “I was born in the States.”—“I wouldn’t believe it,” said Antony, “for you know no more than if you was fresh off the coast—You can’t roast corn.”
“Come, let us to breakfast,” interrupted another, “and leave these two black sheep to fight together, as soon as they can pick up courage.”—“I’m sure you’ve nothing to say, Mandingo,” cried Antony; “you can’t tell where you came from.”—“To be sure I can,” answered Mandingo, “I was very ill used by my master, and made my escape.”—“Yes, from the gallows,” cried one of the crew, to the great amusement of the others.
“I guess there’s ne’er a man on board this schooner whose life can be better looked into than mine,” said a negro, who had not before spoken—“I was born in a Christian country, and when I was twenty years old, a great army captain made me his servant. I had the care of all his money and clothes, and could do what I pleased. I went to plays and consorts, and was so like a gentleman that a white mistress fell in love with me, and we were married. What a grand sight the marriage was! My master gave me a gold ring to put on my wife’s finger.”—“And did you put it on her finger?” demanded Antony.—“Why do you ask that?”—“Because I guess from the look of your shins, that you put it on your own leg.” The whole crew joined in a loud laugh, and looked at the limb of the first speaker, which was strongly galled by fetters. “It must have been a pretty heavy ring,” said Antony; “and yet, for all the gold that was in it, I daresay you was glad to get quit of it.”—“I’ve done,” returned the object of their ridicule; “I’ll say no more. I thought I was speaking to gentlemen.”—“Never mind him. We are all liable to flesh-marks,” observed Philip. “There now, what say you of our captain’s wanting a——” “Hush, hush,” interrupted Mandingo, “that is a sore subject.”
In the course of three days, we came in sight of the north shore of Cuba; but to my great satisfaction had not met with a single vessel of any description. Manuel hourly became less reserved, and we often had long conversations together; and one evening he promised to relate the history of his life to me, the first favourable opportunity.
After cruising about for a week, we cast anchor at the mouth of the Xibara harbour, which lies near the eastern extremity of Cuba. Our object in doing so was to obtain a supply of firewood from the banks of a small river that disembogues into the harbour. Manuel requested me to accompany the party destined for this purpose, as he was to command it; and at a late hour one night we set out in a boat, along with seven of the crew.
The weather was clear, calm, and delightful; and we soon entered the river, and rowed slowly up its windings. The banks were for the most part thickly covered with trees, which over-arched us completely, and rendered it so dark that Manuel could scarcely see to steer the boat. We sometimes could discern far before us a portion of the sky vividly reflected in the bosom of the stream—bright and dazzling, amidst the surrounding gloom, as the contrast of divine purity with mortal corruption. Not a sound could be heard, except the regular dashing of the oars, and the rustling of fields of Indian corn, shaken by the wind. The most delicious perfumes filled the air, and fruits of different kinds, that had apparently just dropt from the tree, floated past us, silently proclaiming the luxuriance of the region that bordered both sides of the river.