Chap. XXI. MISCONDUCT OF SLAVES. 413 



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 : constant 

 disputes are taking place respecting their lands. A case came 

 before the weekly court of the Commandant, involving property 

 in a palm-tree worth two pence. The judge advised the pursuer 

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

 be much more than the cost of the tree. " 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 insensibihty, and I, having the charge of 

 his establishment, had thus an opportunity of observing the 

 workings 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 un- 

 expectedly 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 in- 

 security prevails throughout this country. It is quite common to 

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

 come to breakfast or dinner, each locks Iris 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 then attachment to 

 slavery, nor yet in their prejudices against colour. Mr. Canto 



