Look closely at the phrase, "now wished for the last friend, death, to relieve me." What is Equiano referring
to?
I was soon put down under the decks, and there I
received such a salutation (greeting] in my nostrils as I
had never experienced in my life: so that, with the
loathsomeness (horribleness) of the stench and crying
together, I became so sick and low that I was not able to
eat. I now wished for the last friend, death, to relieve me;
but soon, to my grief, two of the white men offered me
eatables (food); and on my refusing to eat, one of them
held me fast by the hands, and laid me across I think the
windlass (a part of the ship), and tied my feet, while the
other flogged (whipped] me severely...
He hopes to find friends from home.
He hopes to be rescued
He hopes his friends will bring food,
He hopes to die