37<^ NARRATIVE OF AN 



CHAP, mad, 3.11(1 113, d almoft perpetrated the adl of which I was 

 XIV 



accufed; lince, on croffiiig over a fmall bridge, I a6tually 

 gave a fudden twift, and, from their fhoulders, threw 

 myfelf with a jerk headlong over the baluftrades once 

 more into the water. Here a fecond time I was picked 

 tip by the negroes ; and now the fufpicion being con- 

 firmed that I intended fuicide, I was put to my ham- 

 mock, with two fentinels appointed to guard me during 

 the night, while feveral of my friends were Ihedding 

 tears around me. Having, however, drank fome mulled 

 wine, I enjoyed a found nap till morning; when appear- 

 ing calm and perfedtly compofed, my words, to my great 

 joy, began to gain credit, and the apprehenlions of my 

 companions were difpelled. — Such was the danger to 

 which I was expofed by the unkind and inhof])itable 

 behaviour of this Frenchman, who nearly obliterated the 

 memory of this tranfadftion by his many fucceeding in- 

 ftances of unprecedented brutality. The following day, 

 however, by one of my negroes and a fmall canoe, I 

 fent my letter to Paramaribo. Seeing now about noon a 

 melaffes-boat at anchor before the Hope, in which v/as 

 broiling in the fun an Englifli foldier and two negroes, I 

 made the firft come afliore, and entertained the poor 

 fellow with a bowl of punch and a good meal of eggs 

 and bacon, to his great furprize, he not having expected 

 this kindnefs, or to be accofted in his own country lan- 

 guage at this place. What were this man's gratef ul ac« 

 knowledgments, whofe name was Charles Macdonald, 

 will be feen in the fequel of my work. 



A melalTes- 



\ 



