242 WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA. 



yet, they were unperceived by the enemy, but, unfortu- 

 nately, 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, about 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 manceuvre. 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 intention of taking a surer aim. Mr. Edmonstone, on 

 perceiving this, immediately cocked his gun, and fired it 

 off, stUl holding it in the position in which he had received 

 it from Coffee. 



The whole of the contents entered the negro's body, and 

 he dropped dead on his face. 



The negroes, who had formed in a crescent, now in their 

 turn fired a volley, which brought Mr. Edmonstone and 

 his two Indian chiefs to the ground. The Maroons did 

 not stand to reload, but on Mr. Edmonstone's party 

 coming up, they fled precipitately into the surrounding 

 forest. 



Four slugs had entered Mr. Edmonstone's body. After 

 coming to himself, on looldng around, he saw one of the 



