MAJOR SEMPLE l.ISLE. 291 



they then furround their vicflim, and from fome 

 of them he feldom fails to receive a mortal 

 wound. The villains are fure to efcape, for 

 fiich is their adlivity and the lubricity of their 

 fkins from the oil with which they befmear 

 themfelves, that it is next to impolTible to lay 

 hold of them. 



It happened one evening after the intimation 

 Fiad been given me of their defign, that I was 

 going to vilit a lady, and that I might at leail 

 have one afFiftant at hand, Mr. Drummond ac- 

 companied me. When I arrived at her door 

 he left me, and I went in. In a moment the 

 lady, with the utmofl earneflnefs, intreated me 

 to be going, as her houfe was befet by alTaliins, 

 whom fhe fufpe(5led M'ere looking for me. I 

 run to the balcony, hoping that Drummond 

 might not be gone very far ; I called to him, 

 but in vain ; I therefore immediately departed 

 with my fword under my left arm, but not 

 drawn. I walked for fafety in the middle of 

 the flreet, and was within a few yards of home 

 when juft as I was entering the ftreet where I 

 lived, called 'The Ladeira de Mefericorde^ on a 

 fudden I beheld fome negroes gathering round 

 me. I put myfelf in a pofture of defence, and 

 endeavoured to gain a wall, but before I could 

 effecl my purpofe, a negroe came behind and 

 gave me a flight wound. Mr. Drummond, 



U 2 who 



