28 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT QT THE 



, ' 'A few days after my arrival I accompanied my friend up 

 the river on a visit to the Reynestein estate. Our conveyance 

 was a tent-boat. Tiiey are generally from twenty to thirty 

 feet long, and wide in proportion; they are built very sharp 

 for the purpose of sailing or rowing fast. About six or eight 

 feet of the stern are occupied by the tent, in the inside of 

 which are blinds to let down as occasion requires. A cockpit 

 is behind for the cockswain to steer in. He is styled Captain, 

 and has entire command of the boat. The negroes while pul- 

 ling took off their hats and jackets; they appeared quite 

 merry and sung all the way — the chorus of their principal 

 and most favourite song was ** Good Neger make good 

 Massa;" and was repeated at intervals by one whose sole part 

 that was. 



' ' They af^ared to have a great pride and emulation about 

 their boat, and an opportunity offered of shewing it. Ano- 

 ther boat being considerably a-head of us they exerted them- 

 selves of their own accord, and soon passed her. With this 

 they were highly delighted, and, when abreast of their com- 

 petitors, laid on their oars and insultingly asked them if they 

 wanted a toiw-rope. 



The Demerary is> as I before said, two miles broad at its 

 mouth, but inland it does not exceed one mile and a half. Its 

 bed runs up this width perfectly straight to Diamond point. 



