WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 209 



had fallen, as he felt that he was mortally 

 wounded. They gently placed him on the ground, 

 and after the pursuit of the Maroons had ended, 

 the corporal and sergeant returned to their com- 

 mander, and formed their men. On his asking 

 what this meant, the sergeant replied, ''I had the 

 General's orders, on setting out from town, not 

 to leave you in the forest, happen what might." 

 By slow and careful marches, as much as the 

 obstructions in the woods would admit of, the 

 party reached Plantation Alliance, on the bank 

 of the Demerara, and from thence it crossed the 

 river to Plantation Vredestein. 



The news of the rencounter had been spread far 

 and wide by the Indians, and had already reached 

 town. The General, Captains ]^.Iacrai and John- 

 stone, and Doctor Dunkin, proceeded to Vredes- 

 tein, On examining Mr. Edmonstone's wounds, 

 four slugs were found to have entered the body; 

 one was extracted, the rest remained there till 

 the year 1824, when another was cut out by a 

 professional gentleman of Port Glasgow, The 

 other two still remain in the body; and it is sup- 

 posed that either one or both have touched a 

 nerve, as they cause almost continual pain. Mr. 

 Edmonstone has commanded fifteen different ex- 

 peditions in the forest in quest of the Maroons. 

 The Colonial Government has requited his serv- 

 ices, by freeing his property from all taxes, and 

 presenting him a handsome sword, and a silver 

 urn, bearing the following inscription : 



"Presented to Charles Edmonstone, Esq., by the Governor 

 and Court of Policy of the Colony of Demerara, as a token of 

 their esteem, and the deep sense they entertain of the very great 

 14 



