284 



REBELLIOUS SLAVES. 



honour the festival was given. * The next day 

 was agreeably passed in conversation ; and in the 

 evening two guitars were introduced, and some 

 of the young men of the place came in, and 

 added to the amusement of the party ; they sang 

 and played, and there was much sport. There 

 was no ceremony ; but the behaviour of these 

 people was gentlemanly, and their conversation 

 entertaining. 



I heard here of a certain estate, of which the 

 slaves were numerous, but they had become re- 

 bellious ; more than one steward had been killed 

 by them, and for some time they remained with- 

 out any person to direct them, but still they did 

 not leave the place. When things had gone on 

 in this manner for some time, a native of Portu- 

 gal presented himself to the proprietor of the 

 estate, and offered to take charge of it if he 

 would allow him a salary of one conto of reis> 

 about 250/. annually (which is an enormous 

 stipend) ; and if he would sign an agreement by 

 which he should not become responsible for any 

 slaves who might be killed in reducing the re- 

 mainder to obedience. To all this no objection 

 was made ; and the man set off, accompanied by 

 two other persons, his friends, and a guide, all of 



* About twelve months afterwards, I had an opportunity 

 of being personally known to this man, and found him to be 

 very superior to any individual of his or any other order ot 

 friars with whom I have been acquainted. 



