TRADITIONAL LORE. 215 



massa.' Well, soldier go dah ; bam ! bam ! de ball 

 fall all 'bout; hit urn leg, hit um heel, but drop right 

 off, and no hurt Carib 'tall, 'tall, fo' dey hab obeah 

 charm to keep um from make to dead." 



This allusion to the strife once carried on between 

 Carib and English drew out the entire story of the 

 war in which the Carib power was forever destroyed. 

 In 1772, the best part of the Carib lands having been 

 seized, the Indians commenced hostilities, but soon 

 came to terms. By treaty, they were then secured in 

 the best portion of their lands, and kept the peace until, 

 six years later, instigated and aided by the French 

 from Martinique, they revolted. Soon the entire island 

 was in French possession, without much, if any, blood- 

 shed. In 1784, the island was restored to Great Brit- 

 ain by the treaty of Versailles. Incited by the French 

 republicans, in 1795, the Caribs again revolted, de- 

 feated the troops sent against them, and swarmed 

 upon the heights above the town. By the opportune 

 arrival of soldiers and marines from Barbados, they 

 were driven back, but a^ain assembled, and a great 

 fight ensued, in which the English were at first beaten ; 

 but finally, by aid of large reinforcements, the Caribs 

 were defeated. 



Thus the war went on with varying fortune for a 

 year and a half. The negroes were assembled, ap- 

 praised at their full value, their owners to be reim- 

 bursed for any killed, and sent against the Caribs ; 

 but these "forest rangers," as they were called, though 

 they proved very active and useful in destroving the 

 canoes of the enemy, and in bringing in women and 

 children from the mountains after the warriors had 

 surrendered, did little good service. Doubtless they 



