been brought up in his own house from infancy, to 

 form a plot among his slaves to assassinate him ; 

 and he was assisted in this laudable design by two 

 young men from a neighbouring property, who 

 barely knew Mr. Dunbar by sight, had no enmity 

 against him whatever, and only joined in the con- 

 spiracy in compliment to their worthy friend the 

 driver. During several months a variety of at- 

 tempts were made for effecting their purpose ; but 

 accident defeated them ; till at length they were 

 made certain of his intention to dine out at some 

 distance, and of his being absolutely obliged to 

 return in the evening. An ambuscade was therefore 

 laid to intercept him ; and on his passing a clump 

 of trees, the assassins sprang upon him, the 

 driver knocked him from his horse, and in a few 

 moments their clubs despatched him. No one 

 suspected the driver ; but in the course of enquiry, 

 his house as well as the other was searched, and 

 not only Mr. Dunbar's watch was found concealed 

 there, but with it one of his ears, which the villain 

 had carried away, from a negro belief that, as long 

 as the murderer possesses one of the ears of his 

 victim, he will never be haunted by his spectre. 

 The stranger-youths, two of Dunbar's negroes, 

 and the driver, were tried, confessed the crime, and 

 were all executed; the head of the latter being 

 fixed upon a pole in terrorem. But while the 

 offenders were still in prison, the overseer upon a 

 neighbouring property had occasion to find fault 



