XIII. beach with some other officers, and immediately the boat CHA P. was hailed by a sentinel, and ordered to come ashore. I now thought all was over; but, persisting to the last, I told the negroes to answer Killestyn Nova, the name of an adjoining plantation, and thus got leave to proceed unmolested. Soon after I arrived safe at Fauconberg, and found my dearest friend much better. But on the 26th, in the morning, mistaking the day-light for moon-shine, I overslept myself, and knew not how to return to the Hope, as my barge and negroes could now not pass without being well known to the Colonel. Delay was useless; so out I set, trusting entirely to the ingenuity of my slaves, who put me ashore just before we came in sight of the head-quarters; when one of them escorted me through the woods, and I arrived safe at the Hope. But here my barge soon followed under a guard, and all my poor slaves prisoners, with an order from Fourgeoud for me to flog every one of them, as they had been apprehended without a pass, while their excuse was that they had been out a fishing for their Massera. Their fidelity to me upon this occasion was truly astonishing, as they all declared they would have preferred being cut in pieces, rather than betray the secrets of so good a master. However, the danger was soon over, as I confirmed what they had said, and added, that the fish were intended to regale the hero; after which I made a donation of two gallons of rum among my sable privyY y 2 counsellors. XIII. CHAP. Counsellors. This passage, however trifling, may serve as a sample not only of European weakness, but of African firmness and resolution. Notwithstanding my preparation, still Colonel Fourgeoud did not visit me on the 27th, but the next morning Joanna arrived, accompanied by a stout black, who was her uncle, and whose arm was decorated with a silver band, on which were engraved these words: "True to the Euro peans." This man, who was named Cojo, having voluntarily fought against the rebels, before his companions, by the inhuman treatment of Mr. D. B. and his overseer, had been forced to join them. From these he related to us the following remarkable story, having a little girl, called Tamera, by the hand:-" This child's father," said he, "is one whose name is Jolly Coeur, the first captain belonging to Baron's men, and, not without cause, one of "the fiercest rebels in the forest, which he has lately shewn 66 66 66 on the neighbouring estate of New Rosenback, where your colonel now commands. On that estate one "Schults, a Jew, being the manager at that time, who formerly was the manager of Fauconberg, the rebels sud 66 66 denly appeared, and took possession of the whole plan"tation. Having tied the hands of Schults, and plun"dered the house, they next began to feasting and dancing, "before they thought proper to end his miserable existence. "In this deplorable situation now lay the victim, only waiting Baron's signal for death, when his eyes chancing 66 ❝ to to catch the above captain's, Jolly Cœur, he addressed CIA P. "him nearly in the following words:- O Jolly Cœur, 66 now remember Mr. Schults, who was once your deputy"master; remember the dainties I gave you from my own "table, when you were only a child, and my favourite, my 66 darling, among so many others: remember this, and now "spare my life by your powerful intercession.'-The reply "of Jolly Cœur was men:orable :--I remember it perfectly well: But you, O tyrant, recollect how you "ravished my poor mother, and flogged my father fo 66 66 coming to her assistance. Recollect, that the shameful "act was perpetrated in my infant presence-Recollect "this-then die by my hands, and next be damn'd.'— 66 Saying this, he severed his head from his body with a "hatchet at one blow; with which having played at bowls 66 upon the beach, he next cut the skin with a knife from "his back, which he spread over one of the cannon to keep "the priming dry."-Thus ended the history of Mr. Schults; when Cojo, with young Tamera, departed, and left me to go, with an increased impatience, to receive the news, that I soon was to expect from Amsterdam, viz. when the deserving Joanna should be free from the villainy of such pests of human nature. On the 28th, Colonel Fourgeoud arrived about ten o'clock with one of his officers, and with the very devil painted in his countenance, which alarmed me much. I,. however, instantly introduced him to my cottage, where he no sooner saw my mate, than the clouds (like a vapour XIII. by CHAP. by the sun) were dispelled from his gloomy forehead: XIII. and I must confess, that I never saw him behave with more civility. "Her heavenly form "Angelic, but more soft and feminine, "Her graceful innocence, her every air "His malice; and with rapine sweet bereav'd MILTON. Having entertained him in the best manner we were able, and now related the story of the Hellespont, he laughed heartily at the stratagem, and giving us both a shake by the hand departed to New Rosenback, in goodhumour and perfectly contented.-From all the preceding circumstances, the above Chapter may be styled the golden age of my West India expedition. CHA P. XIV. Colonel Fourgeoud at Paramaribo-Example of Ignorance in a Surgeon-Of Virtue in a Slave-Of Ferocity in a Commander-The Troops re-enter the Woods-Account of Loango Dancing-Uncommon Proof of Fidelity in a Negro. HA XIV. AVING delayed his departure to the 29th of April, CHA P. Colonel Fourgeoud now finally rowed down for Paramaribo, accompanied by a few of his officers, to refresh themselves; of which, in truth, they had great need, while an armed barge kept floating up and down the river, and while the remaining emaciated troops (which were melted down to a very small number, and unfit, till recruited in their constitutions, for any further military service) greatly required some rest. Just before the chief's departure, he sent me (who now commanded the river) the following very curious instructions, which, as a proof of his generalship, I cannot help inserting: Amongst others, "to ask the planters if the rebels were come to their estates, in which case to attack and drive them away; "but not to follow them, unless I was sure that I certainly should conquer them, and for any miscarriage I "should be called to an account;" which is, in plain 166 106 English, |