THIRD JOURNEY. 



167 



that lie was mortally wounded. They gently placed 

 him on the ground, and after the pursuit of the 

 Maroons had ended, the corporal and sergeant returned 

 to their commander, and formed their men. On his 

 asking what this meant, the sergeant replied, " I had 

 the General's orders, on setting out from town, not to 

 leave you in the forest, happen what might." By slow 

 and careful marches, as much as the obstructions in the 

 woods would admit of, the party reached Plantation 

 Alliance, on the bank of the Demerara, and from thence 

 it crossed the river to Plantation Yredestein. 



The news of the rencounter had been spread far and 

 wide by the Indians, and had already reached town. 

 The General, Captains Macrai and Johnstone, and 

 Doctor Dunkin, proceeded to Vredestein. On examin- 

 ing Mr. Edmonstone's wounds, four slugs were found 

 to have entered the body ; one was extracted, the rest 

 remained there till the year 1824, when another was 

 cut out by a professional gentleman of Port-Glasgow. 

 The other two still remain in the body ; and it is sup- 

 posed that either one or both have touched a nerve, 

 as they cause almost continual pain. Mr. Edmonstone 

 has commanded fifteen different expeditions in the 

 forest in quest of the Maroons. The Colonial Govern- 

 ment has requited his services, by freeing his pro- 

 perty from all taxes, and presenting him a handsome 

 sword, and a silver urn bearing the following inscrip- 

 tion : — 



" Presented to Charles Edmonstone, Esq. by the Governor 

 and Conrt of Policy of the Colony of Demerara; as a token of 

 their esteem, and the deep sense they entertain of the very great 

 activity and spirit manifested by him, on various occasions, in 

 his successful exertions for the internal security of the Colony. — 

 January 1st, 1809." 



