EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 267 



The water -withy is a kind of very thick nebee of the CHAP, 

 vine fpecies, which grows only in very fandy places, this 

 being llaflied with the fabre in long pieces, and fuddenly 

 held to the mouth, produces a limpid ftream, and affords 

 a pleafing, cool, and healthy beverage, of great fervice in 

 the parching forefts of Gviiana. 



As Providence had gracioufly fent me this fnpply, I 

 could not for my foul refift the impulfe of fharing my re- 

 lief with poor Fourgeoud, whofe age and natural infirmi- 

 ties pleaded greatly in his favour; and who, being now re- 

 frefhed, faw himfelf at laft obliged to return, without any - 

 further hope of overtaking the enemy. But fo exhaufted 

 was the party, that many were carried on long poles in 

 their hammocks by the flaves. 



As his laft refource, our commander now detached the 

 Berbicean negro, Qaufarie, by himfelf, to try if he could 

 bring him any intelligence while we continued our retreat. 

 As we returned by our former footfteps, and of confe- 

 quence approached the pit we had dug yefterday, I was 

 convinced that by this time it muft contain clear water. 

 I therefore difpatched my boy Quaco to the front, to fill 

 one of my gallon bottles before it fhould be changed to 

 a puddle, and this he did ; but being met on his return 

 by Colonel Fourgeoud, he with the butt end of his gun 

 relentlefsly knocked the bottle to pieces, and doubling 

 his pace, placed twO' fentinels at the pit, with orders to 

 preferve the water all for himfelf and his favourites, 

 But at this moment fubordination being extinguifhed. 

 Vol. I. M ra 2 tlie. 



