SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 309 



like a hell ; suppose one king kickkaraboo (die), they kill all 

 the slaves too." From this artless and unadorned tale, may 

 be collected a great deal to prove the wretched situation of the 

 negroes in their ov^^n country, and with what arbitrary sway 

 and despotism the petty kings, or rather barons, in Africa 

 govern their vassals and slaves. 



But to return to the bush expedition, which, after consider- 

 able fatigue, succeeded in surrounding an encampment, or 

 "negro village, in the night, consisting of seven huts. Many 

 of the inhabitants were absent ; however, a number of them 

 were Jaken, and those who resiste-d were shot and slain in the 

 confusion of the moment. The Indians acted with great in- 

 veteracy against the insurgents. A reward of ten pounds ster- 

 hng being offered by the court for each right hand that was 

 brought in belonging to a bush negro, they made no hesitation 

 in disencumbering those killed, of these members. The gar- 

 dens and provision grounds in the back country, which had 

 been vigorously defended, were of considerable use to the 

 pursuing party ; for the revolters had rooted up and laid waste 

 every thing, burning every building, and desolating every 

 plantation. 



The prisoners were sent in under an escort of rangers, who 

 seeing every thing consumed and rendered useless, commenced 

 their march again in search of the hostile encampment. They 



