general unhealthfulness of the coast. Other interesting incidents and
narrow escapes, in which Master Perkins had part, might be told, did not
lack of space forbid; but enough has been shown to impress the fact that
African cruising, even in a well-found man-of-war, is not altogether the
work and pleasure of a holiday; yet, in looking over young Perkins's
letters, we cannot forbear this description of the expertness of the
Kroomen in landing through the surf.

"When the boat shoves off from the ship, the Kroomen, entirely naked
with exception of breech-clout, strike up a song, and pulling grandly to
its rhythmic time, soon reach the edge of the surf, and lie on their
oars. All eyes are now cast seaward, looking for a big roller, on the
top of which we shall be carried on shore, and there is a general
feeling of excitement. In a short time, the looked-for roller comes; the
Kroomen spring to their oars with a shout, the natives on shore yell
with all their might, the boat shoots forward on top of the wave at
incredible speed, the surf thunders like the roar of a battery, and
altogether it seems as if the world had come to an end and all those
fellows in the infernal regions were let loose. Now we must trust to
luck wholly; there is no retreat and no help, for the boat is beyond the
power of any human management, and go on shore you must, either in the
boat or under it. The moment the boat strikes the beach, the Kroomen
jump overboard, and you spring on the back of one of them, and he runs
with you up on the beach out of the way of the next roller, which
immediately follows, breaking over the boat, often upsetting it and
always wetting everything inside. If you have escaped without a good
soaking, you may consider yourself a lucky fellow."

In the midst of this work came the startling news of the portentous
events at home. The infrequent mails began to bring the angry