CANNIBALISM. 489 



have a yearning for dogs' flesh. On a plantation about twenty miles 

 up the river Demerara, there lived an Irish gentleman, of a merry 

 turn, and of noted hospitality. Having just received from Scotland 

 an uncommonly fine terrier, he was wishful to try its mettle. A 

 lieutenant of artillery, being himself a great dog-fancier, was duly 

 informed of this dog's arrival ; and he was invited to pass a day in 

 the Irish gentleman's house, and to bring his own terrier with him, 

 in order that the two dogs might join in mortal combat. Myself 

 and three others were asked to join the party; and we all embarked 

 at Strabroek, in the Irish gentleman's tent-boat. On our arrival at 

 the plantation, unfortunately, the Scotch terrier was missing, nor 

 could anybody conjecture what was become of him. A batch of 

 newly-imported slaves having been located on the property, a hint 

 was given, that possibly the dog might have found its way against 

 its will into one of their huts. This was actually the case. With a 

 long stick thrust through it, the dog was found half-roasted at the 

 fire. It had not been skinned; neither had the intestines been 

 taken out. So there it was, woodcock-like, and would soon have 

 been ready for the negroes' dinner. 



One could hardly have conceived a scene more ludicrous. The 

 Irish gentleman raved with vexation. The lieutenant of artillery 

 shrugged up his shoulders, as he viewed the smoking dog ; and we 

 ourselves, confiding in the Irishman's known good humour, laughed 

 most immoderately. Thus ended the expected diversion at the 

 Irish gentleman's plantation, verifying the old Spanish proverb in 

 Don Quixote : " There is nothing certain in this life : sometimes a 

 man goes in quest of one thing and finds another." 



