4 



EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 353 



about the feet, it is time to begin extra6\:ing the chigoe CHAP, 

 that occafions it : this is done with a fliarp - pointed ^ \- 

 needle, at which operation the black girls are extremely , 

 dexterous, taking every care not to occafion unneceffary 

 pain, and to prevent the chigoo or bladder from breaking 

 in the wound. The cure is to put tobacco-afhes in the 

 <orifice, by which in a little time it is perfedtly healed. 

 Being at this time, as I have juft mentioned, infefted with 

 the chigoes, Joanna with her needle picked twenty-three of 

 thefe infedts out of my left foot ; which being all hatched 

 under the nails, caufed, as may be imagined, the moft ter- 

 rible torment, but which I bore without flinching, with 

 the refolution of an African negro. Thefe are the infedls 

 called niquas by the Spaniards at Carthagena. 



On the 2ift I received a letter from the commander in 

 chief, not an anfwer to my laft, but orders to fend him 

 up to the eftate Crawaffibo (which was at prefent his 

 head-quarters) all the provifions, kettles, axes, &c. that 

 could be fpared from the Hope, as he was preparing to 

 re-enter the woods. I accordingly difpatched them the 

 next day : but the fupply of vidtuals was not great ; for 

 a whole barge, with beef and pork, bound for the Hope, 

 had been Ihipwrecked in the river. 



On the 25th Mr. Steger, the furgeon who had fo 

 nearly poifoned me that I could not yet get the better of 

 the effe6ls of his ignorance, was difcharged from the re- 

 giment, as incapable of his profeffion. Still, notwith- 

 ftanding my unfettled ftate of health, as feveral officers 



Vol. L Z z were 



