308 STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



in which he was bred among the savages of Africa, He was 

 active and sharp sighted, had a clear head, made himself ac- 

 quainted with the principal passes and paths to the revolted 

 negroes encampments, which he acquired by dint of persever- 

 ance and industry, at the risk of his life, by making excursions 

 into the wood at night, by which means he discovered their 

 places of retirement: he used especially to watch their carrying 

 plantains, which they had stolen from the neighbouring plan- 

 tain walks; he was once or twice near being caught, in which 

 event they would have had no hesitation in killing him as a spy. 

 He has always proved himself a faithful and honest negro, and 

 except one failing, that of being rather too fond of rum, is 

 free from vice. Few negroes possess ideas of honor and in- 

 tegrity in a greater degree than he does. With all these good 

 qualities. Gentleman could not fail of being eminently service- 

 able to the division to which be was attached. I have fre- 

 quently questioned him as to the nature of his own country, 

 of which, he speaks with the utmost dislike and contempt. 

 *' Buckra (white men's) country more good ; here so, me only 

 one massa, in a dat country for me, every man my massa, 

 suppose he more strong than meself. They catchee me and 

 make me work for them king ; suppose me no want for work 

 them sail kill me : sometime them king make war and one 

 noder somebody get me for work ; them no give me victuals, 

 them no give me rum, them no give me blanket, them no 

 good like a buckra massa, them flog and them kill them slaves 



