APPENDIX.] THE MAROONS. 369 



treachery of these faithful and affectionate people ; 

 and the earl of Balcarres, with that promptitude and 

 decision which distinguish his character, determined 

 on a line of conduct adapted to the importance of the 

 occasion. The course from Port Royal to St. DC- 

 mingo (as the reader is perhaps informed) is altoge- 

 ther against the wind, and there is sometimes a 



o 



strong lee current; as was fortunately the case at 

 this juncture. These w r ere favourable circumstances, 

 and afforded the governor room to hope, that the 

 transports which conveyed the troops might possibly 

 be overtaken at sea, by a fast sailing boat, from the 

 east end of the island, furnished with oars for rowing 

 in the night. His lordship was not mistaken; the 

 boat which was provided came up with them on the 

 3d of August, off the north east end of Jamaica, and 

 delivered orders to captain Pigot of the Success, 

 forthwith to change his course, and proceed with the 



(* -i- 



transports down the north side of the island to Mon- 

 tego Bay. Captain Pigot immediately obeyed; and it 

 is probable that by this happy accident the country 

 was saved. 



The 83d regiment, consisting of upwards of one 

 thousand effective men, commanded by colonel Fitch, 

 landed at Montego bay, on Tuesday the 4th of Au- 

 gust. At this moment, although the militia of this 

 part of the country were under arms, and had been 

 joined by the detachment of light dragoons, the ut- 

 most anxiety was visible in every countenance. The 

 lulv iicet was sailed; and the certaintv that the Ma- 



* . 



roons had collected great quantities <>f arms and am- 

 Vol. I. > 



