SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 51 



are, indeed, wealthy, and possess ten, fifteen, and twenty 

 negroes, all of whom they employ in this traffic. It is by no 

 means an uncommon thing for negroes in this line to be travel- 

 ling about the country for several weeks together, sometimes 

 with an attendant, having trunks of goods to a considerable 

 amount, say two hundred pounds, and when a good oppor- 

 tunity offers, they remit to their mistresses what money they 

 have taken. It is really surprizing what a large sum is thus 

 returned by these people going from one estate to another. 

 The permission of the manager on every plantation is always 

 necessary, before the huckster ventures to the negro houses, 

 where the bargains are made. Those that have not money 

 barter their fowls, pigs, segars, for what they stand in 

 need of. The hucksters are provided with such an assortment 

 as to be able to supply the negro with a coarse check, or the 

 manager with a line cambric, for his shirts. Coloured women 

 of all descriptions are extravagantly fond of dress: but those 

 resident in the country, not having such an opportunity as the 

 Stabroek ladies of seeing every thing new as it arrives, feel a 

 lively sensation of joy and pleasure at the sight of a huckster, 

 and anticipate the pleasure of tumbling over the contents of 

 her trunk; and if it contains any new articles of fashion, their 

 hearts beat high with wishes to obtain them. If a joe or a 

 dollar be still remaining, it is sure to go : should their purse be 

 empty, they make no hesitation in asking for credit: sucli is 

 the general character and conduct of coloured women. 



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