RETURN FROM ALCANTARA. 



28.^ 



them being well provided with fire-arms and 

 ammunition. They arrived upon the scene of 

 action one evening, and finding the door of the 

 principal house open, took up their lodgings in 

 it. In the morning, several of the negroes, on 

 discovering the intentions of the persons who 

 were in possession of the house, assembled in the 

 area in front of it, but at some little distance. 

 The new steward soon came to the door un- 

 armed, not permitting his companions to appear, 

 and called to one of the ring-leaders by name, 

 as if nothing was amiss. The man answered and 

 came out of the groupe, but said that he would 

 not approach any nearer than the spot to which 

 he had advanced. The steward made no reply, 

 but quickly took a loaded musket, which stood 

 immediately within the door, fired, and brought 

 the man to the ground, and without delay called 

 to another of the slaves also by name. No an- 

 swer being given, his companions came forwards, 

 and all of them fired in among the slaves. Such 

 was the effect of this summary manner of pro- 

 ceeding, that in two or three days all was quiet, 

 and went on smoothly as had formerly been the 

 case; a few only of the slaves absconding. 



On our return from Alcantara we had a dis- 

 agreeable passage, as the wind blew hard and 

 some heavy rain fell, which made us apprehensive 

 of not being able to fetch the harbour of St. Luiz. 

 Our vessel had no cabin, but she was decked, 



