200 WANDERINGS IN 



THIRD Mr. Edmonstone, his faithful man Coffee, and 



two Indian chiefs, found themselves considerably 



a-head of their own party. As yet, they were 

 unperceived by the enemy, but, unfortunately, one 

 of the Indian chiefs fired a random shot at a 

 distant Maroon. Immediately the whole negro 

 camp turned out, and formed themselves in a 

 crescent, in front of Mr. Edmonstone. Their 

 chief was an uncommonly fine negro, above six 

 feet in height ; and his head-dress was that of an 

 African warrior, ornamented with a profusion of 

 small shells. He advanced undauntedly with his 

 gun in his hand, and, in insulting language, called 

 out to Mr. Edmonstone to come on and fight him. 



Mr. Edmonstone approached him slowly, in 

 order to give his own men time to come up ; but 

 they were yet too far off for him to profit by 

 this manoeuvre. Coffee, who carried his master's 

 gun, now stepped up behind him, and put the gun 

 into his hand, which Mr. Edmonstone received^ 

 without advancing it to his shoulder. 



He was now within a few yards of the Maroon 

 chief, who seemed to betray some symptoms of 

 uncertainty ; for instead of firing directly at Mr. 

 Edmonstone, he took a step sideways, and rested 

 his gun against a tree ; no doubt with the inten- 

 tion of taking a surer aim. Mr. Edmonstone, on 

 perceiving this, immediately cocked his gun, and 

 fired it off, still holding it in the position in which 

 he had received it from Coffee. 



