138 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



or ruined, and the negroes were left to murder each, 

 other or starve, or be slaughtered in the attempt to 

 put them down again. From all this sanguinary 

 absurdity, the Dutch colonies had kept clear by shut- 

 ting out the doctrine of negro equality. The slaves 

 here," said the officer, " are better treated, more in- 

 dustrious, and more happy, than if they had received 

 the fatal gift of liberty. But the French governor in 

 Cayenne, through displeasure at our refusing some 

 unreasonable demands for money or provisions, has 

 declared that ' he will revenge himself on those aristo- 

 crats, and revolutionise Surinam ; ' and hence the com- 

 mandants along the coast had orders to watch nar- 

 rowly all the French who landed in the colony." 

 They were still entertained by these hospitable people, 

 when a Dutch officer of rank arrived from Parama- 

 ribo to lead them to the governor of the colony. The 

 officer was shocked at their condition, for they were 

 dreadfully disfigured by the insects, and were still 

 almost without clothes or shoes. " In their own 

 style he embraced them all, and further cheered them 

 by the intelligence that the governor was well dis- 

 posed towards them ; that he was even anxious for 

 their arrival, and that the whole colony sympathised 

 in their misfortunes." On this all the Frenchmen 

 burst into the national tribute of tears. 



They now set out on their journey to the seat of 

 government, having first enjoyed a regular dinner, 

 and the still higher luxury of shirts, shoes, and sound 



