instance, are eventually secured.  Two men paddle the canoe in the direction of the shoal, while the remainder are occupied in fishing.  Captain Owen went in his boat, and pulled towards the party; we were much interested with their operations and success.  At his invitation, after the fishing had concluded, one of the canoes brought us some very fine ones, a species of bream, weighing from two to three pounds each.  This was the first time I ever knew fish caught, in deep water at sea, with a rod and line.

Monday, Dec. 24.—­In the course of the day, a party of natives brought on board three black men, inhabitants of the Island of St. Thomas, who, six months before, had taken refuge in Fernando Po, under the following circumstances:—­During the time they were engaged in fishing, a strong wind arose, which drove them out to sea.  Unable to contend against the power of the gale, they deemed it prudent to keep the canoe before it, and even assist with their paddles, in hopes of sooner falling in with land, and thus escape starvation.  In this manner they continued drifting for eight days without fresh water, or any kind of provisions, excepting the few fish they had caught before the gale arose, the greater part of which were thrown overboard, in consequence of their getting into a state of excessive putridity.  At length they came in sight of Fernando Po.  Some of the natives came off to them in their canoes, and took them ashore on the eastern part of the island.  Here they had been compelled to remain, devoid of all hopes of returning, until they saw our steam-vessel making its late circumnavigation of the island.  This opened to them a new and cheering prospect; and they determined to attempt reaching our settlement overland, by travelling at night, and secreting themselves during the day, in order that the natives might not interrupt their escape.  Previously to the discovery of our steam-vessel, they had frequently heard the reports of our morning and evening gun:  this had led them to the belief, that some Europeans were resident on the island, and now afforded them the proper line of direction for their march.  After travelling for three nights, and at the time of their approaching our settlement, they were discovered by the natives, who, in the first instance, attempted to force them back to their former residence.  The poor creatures, however, made so much noise and resistance, that, apprehending the fact would transpire and excite our displeasure, it was at length determined to conduct them to us.  One of them was a Fantee, and had resided at the Dutch settlement of Elmina, where a black man of our party, who was no less a personage than a son of the King of Cape Coast, although now discharging the humble office of gun-room steward of the Eden, had frequently seen him.