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Rh would in a couple of years, have been promoted to the rank of boatswain's mate. On the cessation of the American War his ship would have traded to the east coast of Africa in ivory and gold dust, and Freddy, who by this time would have saved about two thousand dollars, would have purchased a sixteenth share in her. From this point his promotion would have been rapid, and in six years he would have saved money enough to purchase her out and out, and trade with her on his own account. He would have discovered that the slave trade was still more profitable than that in gold and ivory, and (keeping it secret from Louisa, who would be living luxuriously somewhere in Florida, under the impression that her husband was a blameless merchant) he would have devoted himself to its prosecution with an energy which might with equal profit, and less risk, have been expended upon a more legitimate speculation.

However, Freddy knew nothing of what would have happened, if his return to England and all its consequences had been blotted out of his career, and felt himself somewhat at a loss to account for his position.

“Great heavens,” said Freddy, on realising the exact character of the cargo, “these must be slaves!”

“The cap'en will be the death o' me one day!” roared the boatswain in the middle of an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

“How horrible! how awful!” said Freddy. “Torn from the bosom of their families–cramped and crippled in a filthy hold, and in an atmosphere in which a candle will hardly burn–it's horrible, it's appalling!”

“The cap'en's joke agin all others, I allers say!”