12

This deponent being duly sworn
saith, My name is Frederick
Dowdall. I am a mate on board
the schooner Douglas. We sailed
from Trinity Bay on the 8th Jan'y
and anchored at Dunk Island
to cut dunnage there. Some
blacks came off and boarded us.
They got tobacco and food and then
went ashore again. When we were
getting under weigh, four blacks
came alongside and three came
on deck. The other black was so ill-
looking the Capt'n would not take
him. We then sailed for Chilcott
island having the three blacks
who went with us willingly and
of their own accord. They helped
to put their canoe in the hold. I can't
say whether they knew where they
were going as they could not speak
English, but I am sure they went
willingly. We reached Chilcott
Island 7th Feb'y and moored
the ship and set to work to get
the gear ready for procuring
guano. We were there one week
The Alexandr brig left
us on a Wednesday morning.
We had two men on the Island that
Wednesday night and two blacks.
All hands turned in, keeping
no watch. About midnight I
heard a noise and ran on deck
from the after cabin. I walked
forward & saw on the starboard