LEAVES FttOM A LOG. 569 



" Don't be alarmed," said he, interrupting me. " I shall do no- 

 thing rash ;" and he coolly examined the flint. Having loaded and 

 primed the weapons te Call down Quaco and the crew." 



They came into, the cabin. The cook was called forward, and 

 the crew thronged around the door. 



" Quaco," said the captain sternly, " drink that cup of coffee to the 

 very dregs." 



" I don't like coffee/' said the African, drawing back in evident 

 surprise and alarm, 



" Swallow it this instant !" 



The negro took a spoonful of the mixture, though trembling with 

 fear. He held it in his mouth for a moment, and then, shuddering, 

 spit it out. 



" Force him to take it, Sir," said one of the sailors. 



" He would have poisoned the whole of us," said a stout Angostu- 

 rian; " St. Antonio and the saints keep us !" and he crossed himself 

 most devoutly. The sailors made an advance as though they would 

 have enforced the request of the former, when the captain called 

 out, 



" Stand off; let no one lay hands upon him." He then emptied 

 the cup which held the liquid into a vessel containing about a pint 

 or more, and addressed the negro : 



" Do you see these pistols ? each contains two balls. You are a 

 guilty man if you refuse to drink that coffee which you have made, 

 and you only choose your death; for, as God is just, your minutes are 

 numbered. But if you drink and are unharmed by it, I will give 

 you your freedom for accusing you unjustly. I promise it in the 

 presence of these witnesses. Now drink it." 



The negro looked as though he understood the action of his 

 master, if he did not fully comprehend his words, for he appeared 

 to meditate a flight on deck ; but the crew seemed to anticipate his 

 intentions, and their angry gestures plainly told him what mercy he 

 might expect at their hands. Meantime all was as silent as death, 

 save the clicking noise which accompanies the cocking of pistols. 

 The negro paused ; big drops of sweat poured down his dark brow 

 like rain ; his eyes glared fearfully around, and the paleness of death 

 was on his lips. 



fe Drink it this instant, you black murderous fiend !" cried the cap- 

 tain, who had now no doubt of his guilt ; and he levelled the pistol at 

 his head. 



The African with a convulsive grasp seized the jug, and, while his 

 teeth chattered against its edge, drank every drop ; then rolling his 

 eyes frightfully, either from fear or agony, sunk with a deep" groan 

 upon the floor of the cabin. A murmur of execration arose from the 

 crew as he fell, and not one moved forward to assist the wretched 

 roan. Whether the captain thought he was hardly warranted in 

 enforcing such summary justice; or that a slight shade of compassion 

 came over him, he immediately endeavoured to ascertain the nature 

 of the poison with which it was evident the coffee was drugged ; but 

 the negro either could or would not answer. We examined his 

 chest, and sought for a clue, but without success, until one of the 



M.M. No. 102. 4D 



