e#AP. iv.] WEST INDIES. 165 
deserted him. The sight of an injured people 
coming forward as one man, with deliberate va¬ 
lour to execute on his person that punishment 
which he must have been conscious his enormities 
well merited, over-whelmed him with confusion 
and terror. Although he must have been apprized, 
that his adversaries had proceeded too far to retreat, 
he now, for the first time, when it was too late, 
had recourse to concession. He despatched the 
provost-marshal with a message, signifying his rea¬ 
diness to meet the assembly at Parham, and to 
consent to whatever laws they should think proper 
to pass for the good of the country. He offered at 
the same time to dismiss his soldiers, provided, six 
of the principal inhabitants would remain with him 
as hostages for the safety of his person. The speak¬ 
er of the assembly, and one of the members of the 
council, unwilling to carry matters to the last extre¬ 
mity, seemed inclined to a compromise, and pro¬ 
posed themselves as two of the hostages required 
by the governor ; but the general body of the peo¬ 
ple, apprehensive that further delay might be fatal 
to their cause, called aloud for immediate ven¬ 
geance 5 and instantly marched forward in two divi¬ 
sions. One of these, led by Mr. Piggot, a mem¬ 
ber of the assembly, taking possession of an emi¬ 
nence that commanded the government house, at¬ 
tacked it with great fury. The fire was briskly re¬ 
turned for a considerable time, but at length the 
assailants broke into the house. The governor met 
them with firmness, and shot Piggot dead w T ith his 
own hand, but received in the same moment, a 
