MISCONDUCT OF SLAVES. 449 



Thought it a sufficient justification. The expenses of funerals 

 are so heavy that often years elapse before they can defray 

 them. 



These people are said to be very litigious and obstinate : con- 

 stant disputes are taking place respecting their lands. A case- 

 came before the weekly court of the commandant involving prop- 

 erty in a palm-tree worth twopence. The judge advised the pur- 

 suer to withdraw the case, as the mere expenses of entering it 

 would be much more than the cost of the tree. " Oh no," said 

 he ; "I have a piece of calico with me for the clerk, and money 

 for yourself. It's my right ; I will not forego it." The calico 

 itself cost three or four shillings. They rejoice if they can say of 

 an enemy, "I took him before the court." 



My friend Mr. Canto, the commandant, being seized with fever 

 in a severe form, it afforded me much pleasure to attend him in 

 his sickness, who had been so kind to me in mine. He was for 

 some time in a state of insensibility, and I, having the charge of 

 his establishment, had thus an opportunity of observing the work- 

 ings of slavery. When a master is ill, the slaves run riot among 

 the eatables. I did not know this until I observed that every 

 time the sugar-basin came to the table it was empty. On visiting 

 my patient by night, I passed along a corridor, and unexpectedly 

 came upon the washerwoman eating pine-apples and sugar. All 

 the sweetmeats were devoured, and it was difficult for me to get 

 even bread and butter until I took the precaution of locking the 

 pantry door. Probably the slaves thought that, as both they and 

 the luxuries were the master's property, there was no good reason 

 why they should be kept apart. 



Debarred by my precaution from these sources of enjoyment, 

 they took to killing the fowls and goats, and, when the animal was 

 dead, brought it to me, saying, "We found this thing lying out 

 there." They then enjoyed a feast of flesh. A feeling of inse- 

 curity prevails throughout this country. It is quite common to 

 furnish visitors with the keys of their rooms. When called on to 

 come to breakfast or dinner, each locks his door and puts the key 

 in his pocket. At Kolobeng we never locked our doors by night 

 or by day for months together ; but there slavery is unknown. 

 The Portuguese do not seem at all bigoted in their attachment to 

 slavery, nor yet in their prejudices against color. Mr. Canto gave 



Ff 



