S6 A NATURALIST IN THE GUIANAS 



happened to be on the jetty, and most exaggerated rumours 

 were at once communicated to the police-station and cir- 

 culated all over the city. Acting Sergeant-Major Giblan 

 was immediately sent to the scene with twelve men sup- 

 plied with side-arms ; on arriving on the wharf they found 

 that the affray was over and all firing had ceased, and that 

 the "Bolivar" had approached so near to the jetty that 

 from it they were able to scramble over her side and get 

 on board. Mr. Fitzsimons, acting Inspector-Commandant, 

 soon followed with twenty men under arms, and Sergeants 

 Shelton, Kock, and Lucy. They were further followed 

 by twenty-one men under Corporal Croney, all armed. 

 The men were provided with ten rounds of ammunition. 

 Our readers can imagine that, with such an extraordinary 

 display of arms, the wharf far and wide presented a scene 

 of the wildest excitement and commotion amongst the 

 hundreds of spectators who strove to get as near to the 

 central spot as possible. At an early hour the " Bolivar " 

 steamed off and anchored at a short distance from the 

 jetty. The Hon. H. Fowler, Colonial Secretary, accom- 

 panied by the Hon. Vincent Brown, acting Solicitor- 

 General, appeared on the scene and went on board the 

 "Bolivar." Mr. Harragin, acting magistrate of Port of 

 Spain, and Dr. C. B. Paisley also went on board. Those 

 who were suspected of taking part in the affair were pointed 

 out, and seven prisoners, quickly followed by six others, 

 were sent on shore. We have been informed that the 

 prisoners, although accompanied by the police, were badly 

 treated by the mob on their way to the police-station. 

 "We went there shortly afterwards to get the names of 

 the prisoners, but found the iron entrance-gate closed 

 and guarded by an armed police-patrol. This appeared 

 so ridiculous that we inquired into the matter and were 



