SOUTH AMERICA. 199 



Since the above appeared in print, I have had 

 the account of this engagement with the negroes - 

 in the forest, from Mr. Edmonstone's own mouth. 



He received four slugs in his body, as will be 

 seen in the sequel. 



The plantations of Demerara and Essequibo 

 are bounded by an almost interminable extent of 

 forest. Hither the runaway negroes repair, and 

 form settlements, from whence they issue to annoy 

 the colonists, as occasion may offer. 



In 1801, the runaway slaves had increased to an 

 alarming extent. The Governor gave orders, that 

 an expedition should be immediately organized* 

 and proceed to the woods, under the command of 

 Charles Edmonstone, Esq. General Hislop sent 

 him a corporal, a sergeant, and eleven men, and 

 he was joined by a part of the colonial militia, 

 and by sixty Indians. 



With this force Mr. Edmonstone entered the 

 forest, and proceeded in a direction towards 

 Mahaica. 



He marched for eight days through swamps, 

 and over places obstructed by fallen trees and the 

 bush-rope; tormented by myriads of mosquitos, 

 and ever in fear of treading on the poisonous 

 snakes, which can scarcely be distinguished from 

 the fallen leaves. 



At last he reached a wooded sand-hill, where 

 the Maroons had intrenched themselves in great 

 force. Not expecting to come so soon upon them, 



