and to board only those that they can approach, or run away from, at convenience; when convinced that they are not likely to encounter any resistance, they plunder such vessels at their pleasure:  but should they arrive on the coast of Africa, without having succeeded in obtaining plunder on their voyage to enable them to purchase slaves, they entrap and steal such negroes as they can get into their power, and then return to the West Indies to dispose of their slave cargo.  This is the general character of these pirates, that are occasionally met in different parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, and also about the equinoctial line.  I have heard numerous instances of vessels, from Europe, bound to these latitudes, meeting on their voyages with one or more of such vessels.  Prison ships going to New South Wales have been followed by them; and scrutinized with spy glasses from their decks:  but they have never yet ventured to attack a prison-ship, the sight of soldiers being quite enough to deter them from any hostile attempt.  Indeed, I believe the best plan in meeting these marauders is, to assume as bold an air, and make as much show of resistance as possible.  Knowing the character of these craft, Captain Owen thought it right to detain the brigantine, and therefore sent Lieut.  Robinson, Mr. Wood, midshipman, and twenty-two men, to take her into Sierra Leone, for adjudication.  In the evening we parted company, but expected to find her at our rendezvous in Prince’s Island.

Saturday, 14.—­At daylight saw Prince’s Island, towards which we continued to make our course.  At eight came to anchor in Port Antonio, where we found Lieutenant Robinson with the captured brigantine, and also the Vengeance, a Brazilian brigantine on a slaving voyage, which had put in for Cassada root, or Mandioc, upon which these people principally feed their slaves.  After breakfast I accompanied Captain Owen on shore to wait on the Governor, who received us very politely, and introduced us to his lady and family.  On leaving the Government House, we proceeded to that of Mr. Ferraro, who was said to be the richest and only respectable merchant here, but he had gone into the country; we therefore walked about the town until our curiosity was satisfied.  There were no inns in the place, only some public houses, where nothing could be got but spirits, and inferior wines.  The sailors, however, considered it a very civilized place, because it afforded them the means of getting most agreeably drunk, a feat which they could not accomplish at Fernando Po.  Captain.  Owen having allowed some of his men to go on shore for amusement, one of the marines contrived to get into a drunken frolic, and was so troublesome, that it puzzled the whole guard of black soldiers to secure him.  I regret to remark that in many foreign places, the people intentionally lead our sailors into disputes, merely to obtain a fee for releasing them.