382 



NEGRO BROTHERHOOD. 



niently situated for Jaguaribe, and for another 

 plantation not far distant, which was owned by 

 an old man of colour, who harboured around 

 him a numerous clan of relations and dependants. 

 It was arranged that we should rent these lands 

 equally ; but to prevent competition, one of us 

 only was to apply for them, and then they were 

 to be divided. The owner of the plantation in 

 question was to make the application, and I 

 rested satisfied ; but I was surprised to discover, 

 that I run much risk of remaining without any 

 part of them ; therefore I began to make arrange- 

 ments for obtaining them for myself. Whilst 

 the matter was yet in doubt, a person who was 

 under the protection of the rival plantation, sent 

 a number of negroes to work upon some land 

 which lay very near to Jaguaribe. I sent a 

 message to the owner of these men, purporting 

 that the land was tenanted by a person of my 

 acquaintance, who yearly rented it from the 

 brotherhood, and therefore I requested him to 

 direct that his slaves should retire. This he 

 refused to do ; consequently I collected a num- 

 ber of my free workmen, and rode towards the 

 spot in question ; the matter had become serious, 

 and as he was aware that if a scuffle ensued, he 

 might lose the service of a slave, whilst I who 

 was accompanied by free men, would not sus- 

 tain any loss, he gave the desired directions, 

 and I returned home. 



