30 ST. HELENA 



little vessel called the Francis and Mary, then in harbour. 

 They took with them as prisoners the Lieutenant-Governor 

 and several others, and also placed under arrest the master 

 of the vessel, retaining them prisoners in order that they 

 might procure, by exchange, necessary provisions for their 

 journey. One of their party was sent on shore to negotiate, 

 and to state that if their demands were not complied with 

 they would kill their prisoners. Thus they obtained the 

 provisions which were placed at a spot halfway between 

 the ship and shore, out of range of fort guns. Unfortun- 

 ately their terrible scheme was a success and they escaped, 

 and it is supposed they landed in Ireland. 



On the death of Governor Johnson, Captain Richard 

 Keeling, Lieutenant-Governor, assumed command, but the 

 success of this diabolical plot had raised a mutinous spirit all 

 through the Colony, and he had to keep a great check both 

 on the garrison and on the slaves. He was evidently a man 

 swift to act, and directly he heard rumours that the blacks 

 meant to murder the Europeans, and follow out Jackson's 

 acts, he, without waiting to ask permission of his Honour- 

 able masters, and going on the adage of " Prevention is 

 better than cure," secured three whom he considered to be 

 the moving spirits. One he hanged alive in chains at 

 Ladder Hill and allowed him to starve to death ; the other 

 two he " hanged, but cut down alive, and their quarters 

 and heads being placed in the publique crossway for the 

 publique view of all the negroes." 



In 1697 Governor Keeling, after a very severe illness 

 died, and Captain Stephen Poiricr succeeded him ; little of 

 interest occurred, but the number of private stills so in- 

 creased, and became such a nuisance that by orders from 

 England they were all suppressed. 



War was at this time declared between France and Eng- 

 land, and news came here ; but two of the Company's ships 

 lying at anchor, the Queen and the Dover, were cut off in 

 the roadstead by French boats, which came in commanded 

 by Mons. Desduqui^res under Dutch colours in broad day- 

 light. When their nationality was discovered, orders were 

 issued by the Governor that they should be fired upon, but 

 the powder was not at hand, and the sponges did not fit 

 the guns, so the French ships were soon out of sight. 



