RETIREMENT FROM PLANTING. 91 



with the supposition that something of the like nature 

 was then exciting him, that I got up, called for a light, 

 charged my gun with three pistol balls in each barrel, 

 with shot to fill up the crevices, and drew the blind from 

 over the door, so as to enable me to see out. I went to 

 bed, fell asleep, and awoke about two o clock. I turned 

 round, looked to the door, and saw the Singphoos mounting 

 the verandah (raised piazza) with a cat-like pace. I 

 started out of bed, and cried out &quot; Singphoos,&quot; when 

 they cut down the teklahs (two men on watch, but who 

 had gone to sleep). I then gave them a barrel ; the 

 room was small, and there were immediately about fifteen 

 men cutting away at my bed, when I discharged the 

 second barrel among them. I thought to reserve the 

 second and work away with a dah, but, on laying hold of 

 the blade, it was whipped out of my hand, giving me a 

 slight scratch, the only one, except a slight spear wound 

 in my knee, that I received ; finding this loss, I was 

 obliged to discharge the second barrel, when the whole 

 gang rushed out of the room, leaving a man struggling 

 on the bed, evidently in the last gasp. I did not lay my 

 hands upon him, nor did I feel any relish to do so. I was 

 about to charge my gun while alone, but on looking 

 through the wall, saw so many Singphoos, and they ac 

 tively engaged looking for a light, that I thought it best 

 to escape ; so I threw down my gun, and got over the 

 mat wall, and clung to the roof until the Singphoos 

 passed under me, when I got down beneath the &quot; chang&quot; 

 (floor raised on posts) with the pigs. I knew that was no 

 resting place for me, so I crept out on my hands and feet 

 until I got the bathing-house between me and them, when 

 I made the best use of my heels. I had been a cripple 



