Chap. XXI. 
MISCONDUCT OF SLAVES. 
413 
thought it a sufficient justification. The expenses of funerals 
are so heavy, that often years elapse before they can defray 
them. 
These people are said to be very litigious and obstinate: constant 
disputes are taking place respecting their lands. A case came 
before the weekly comd of the Commandant, involving property 
in a palm-tree worth two pence. The judge advised the pursuer 
to withdraw tlie case, as the mere expenses of entering it would 
be much more than the cost of the tree. “ 0 no,” said he; “ I 
have a piece of calico with me for the clerk, and money for 
yourself. It’s my right, I vdll not forego it.” The cahco itself 
cost three or four shillings. They rejoice if they can say of an 
enemy, “ I took him before the comd.” 
My friend Mr. Canto, the Commandant, being seized with fever 
in a severe form, it afforded me much pleasure to attend him in 
his sickness, who had been so kind to me in mine. He was for 
some time in a state of insensibility, and I, having the charge of 
liis establishment, had thus an opportunity of observing the 
workings of slavery. When a master is ill, the slaves run riot 
among the eatables. I did not know this, until I observed that 
every time the sugar-basin came to the table it was empty. On 
visiting my patient by night, I passed along a corridor, and un¬ 
expectedly came upon the washerwoman, eating pine-apples and 
sugar. All the sweetmeats were devoured, and it was difficult 
for me to get even bread and butter, until I took the precaution 
of locking the pantry door. Probably the slaves thought, that, as 
both they and the luxuries were the master’s property, there was 
no good reason why they should be kept apart. 
Debarred by my precaution from these -somces of enjoyment, 
they took to killing the fowls and goats, and, when the animal 
was dead, brought it to me saying, We found this tiling lying 
out there.” They then enjoyed a feast of flesh. A feehng of in¬ 
security prevails tliroughout this country. It is quite common to 
furnish visitors with the keys of their rooms. When called on to 
come to breakfast or dinner, each locks his door and puts the 
key in his pocket. At Kolobeng we never locked our doors by 
night or by day for months together; but there slavery is unknown. 
The Portuguese do not seem at aU bigoted in their attacliment to 
slavery, nor yet in their prejudices against colour. Mr. Canto 
