276 HISTORY OF THE [book iv. 
to a child. Accordingly, when the first boy, who 
happened to be one of the Eboes, and the stoutest 
of the whole, was led forward to receive the mark, 
he screamed dreadfully, while his companions of 
the same nation manifested strong emotions of sym¬ 
pathetic terror. The gentleman stopt his hand; but 
the Koromantyn boys, laughing aloud, and, imme¬ 
diately coming forward of their own accord, offered 
their bosoms undauntedly to the brand, and recei¬ 
ving its impression without flinching in the least, 
snapt their fingers in exultation over the poor 
Eboes, 
* ♦ 
One cannot surely but lament, that a people 
thus naturally emulous and intrepid, should be 
sunk into so deplorable a state of barbarity and 
superstition; and that their spirits should ever be 
broken down by the yoke of slavery ! Whatever 
may be alleged concerning their ferociousness and 
implacability in their present notions of right and 
wrong, 1 am persuaded that they possess qualities, 
which are capable of, and well deserve cultivation 
and improvement.—But it is time to conclude my 
observations on this nation, which I shall do, with 
some account of their religion; for which my 
readers are indebted to the researches of an inge¬ 
nious gentleman of Jamaica, who is well acquaint¬ 
ed with their language and manners. Its authen¬ 
ticity has been frequently confirmed to me, on my 
own inquiries among the Koromantyn negroes 
themselves, 
