Historical 41 



negroes. The dogs, muzzled and led in leashes, rushed 

 ferociously on every object, dragging the Chasseurs along 

 in spite of all their endeavours. Dallas, in his History of the 

 Maroons, informs us that General Walpole ordered a review 

 of these dogs and the men, that he might see in what manner 

 they would act. He set out for a place called Seven Rivers, 

 accompanied by Colonel Skinner, whom he appointed to 

 conduct the attack. 



" Notice of his coming having preceded him, a parade 

 of the Chasseurs was ordered, and they were taken to a 

 distance from the house, in order to be advanced when 

 the General alighted. 



" On his arrival, the Commissioner, (who had procured 

 the dogs), having paid his respects, was desired to parade 

 them. The Spaniards soon appeared at the end of a gentle 

 acclivity, drawn out in a line, containing upwards of forty 

 men, with their dogs in front unmuzzled, and held by 

 cotton ropes. On receiving the word ' Fire ! ' they dis- 

 charged their fusils and advanced as upon a real attack. 

 This was intended to ascertain what effect would be pro- 

 duced on the dogs if engaged under a fire of the Maroons. 

 The volley was no sooner discharged, than the dogs rushed 

 forward with the greatest fury amid the shouts of the 

 Spaniards, who were dragged on by them with irresistible 

 force. Some of the dogs, maddened by the shout of the 

 attack, while held back by ropes, seized on the stocks of 

 the guns in the hands of their keepers and tore them to 

 pieces. Their impetuosity was so great, that they were 

 with difficulty stopped before they reached the General, 

 who found it necessary to get expeditiously into the chaise 

 from which he had alighted ; and if the most strenuous 

 exertions had not been made, they would have seized 

 upon the horses." 



