CHAP. XXV.

[Contents]CHAP. XXV.Singular Method of detecting a Theft—Rencounter between the Rangers and Rebels—Amazonian Action of a black Girl—Wonderful Sagacity in wild Bees—The Regiment receives a second Order to return to Europe.On the 27th of March, 1776, adieu once more Paramaribo, my Joanna, and my boy!This morning, a little before I sat out, I saw a Mr.d’Halberghterribly bitten by a large iguana or lizard, at the very moment he was pressing me and my companions to stay a few days, to be present at the celebration of what he called hisSilver-feast, being the twenty-fifth anniversary of his marriage; but after condoling with him upon account of the accident, we embarked in a tent-barge, and arrived that evening at the Sporksgift estate in Matapica. Here we were entertained two days by Captain Mac Neal, with the greatest hospitality. I was however nearly suffocated by the steam of some green coffee, which was spread on the floor of the lodge where I had slung my hammock.Late on the evening of the 29th, we arrived at theGold-mineplantation, where we found a negro boy and girl, suspended by each others side from a high beam, by a rope fastened to theirthumbs, which were tied behind[217]their backs, this almost dislocated their shoulders, and must have occasioned the most agonizing tortures. Thus I cut the miserable victims down, without leave or ceremony, and swore that instant to demolish the tyrannical overseer who had inflicted this new mode of punishment, unless he promised immediately to forgive them; which he miraculously did in my presence.On the 30th, a little before we landed at the Hope, I discovered that all my sugar, with the greatest part of my rum, was gone; and detected the thief by the following laughable stratagem (though not my own invention)—I told the negroes, six in number, that a parrot’s feather was to grow within six minutes upon the tip of his nose who was most guilty; at the same time pronouncing a few incoherent words, and making two or three circles with my sabre, I shut myself within the tilt: here, peeping through the key-hole, and observing the rowers with great attention, without their perceiving me, I soon saw one of them, at every stroke of the oar, put up his hand, and feel the tip of his nose; upon which I instantly ran up to him, and cried, “I see the parrot’s feather! Thou art the thief, thou rascal!” To which the poor superstitious fellow instantly answered, “Yaw, me massera!” then kneeling to thesorcererfor mercy, and the others also intreating me to spare him, I pardoned the credulous thief and his accomplices, who by their candid confession obtained a piece of salt beef for their dinner, and a gourd full of good grog in the bargain.[218]Immediately on my arrival I took the command of the whole river, and now was once more the Prince of Comewina. I also built an elevatedpalace, in imitation ofPrince Bonny’s at Boosy-Cry, on twelve strong stakes; which aerial habitation I found very necessary, the whole post being almost under water by the inundations, and by neglect become a perfect mire-pool, while of my former cottage not a vestige was to be seen. Here I found the marines in perfect misery, being almost naked, and having sold their very shoes for a mouthful of fresh provisions. These grievances, however, by my labour and intercession with Colonel Fourgeoud, whose favourite I now became more and more, were speedily redressed, and the Hope, in a little time, appeared like a paradise, when compared with its former state.Shooting was now, as formerly, my favourite diversion; and on the 4th I brought home a kind ofplover, a couple ofred-breasts, and near a dozengrass-sparrows.The plover of Guiana is the size of a pigeon, its colour a dark-brown and white, with transverse bars. The wet savannahs are full of them, and they are delicate eating. The red-breast is a kind of large bull-finch, with the upper part of its body a deep chesnut; and all the rest a blood-colour: this is reckoned as good as an ortolan, and abounds on all the plantations. The grass-sparrow, which I think is by some called theanaca, is a beautiful little creature, like a paroquet; these birds are perfectly green, with a white bill and red eyes. They do[219]much damage amongst the rice and Indian corn, flying in prodigious flocks upon the plantations.At the Hope thetrochulus, or humming-birds, were so thick among the tamarind-trees, that they resembled a swarm of bees; a LieutenantSwildensdaily fetching down several of them, by blowing small peas or Indian corn through a hollow reed.Of all the tropical birds, this little creature is particularly worth attention, not only on account of its beauty, but for its diminutive size, being smaller than the first joint of a man’s finger; and when deprived of its feathers not larger than a blue-bottle fly. However, there are several species, and some twice as large. These birds vary much in their colour: in the shade they appear generally of a deep shining green; which, by the reflection of the sun, produces a splendid purple brown and azure. The head is crested with a small tuft of feathers, green, black, and gold; the tail and wings are a glossy black; the bill is not much thicker than a pin, it is long, black, and crooked at the end; the tongue is forked, and resembles a red silk thread; with this they sip the nectar or honey from the flowers, during which time they are stationary, exactly like bees, and this juice seems to be the only nourishment of these little creatures. They often make their nest on the leaf of a wild pine-apple, or dwarf aloe, which is constructed mostly of cotton, and not larger than the husk of a walnut; their eggs are about the size of peas, and only two in number. Madam Merian says, that the humming-bird[220]sits onfoureggs; which, for my part, I never saw or heard of during my residence in Guiana.In the annexed plate I have endeavoured to represent them and their little habitation in natural size; though I found it impossible to make the drawing more perfect, their motion upon the wing being so very quick, that the feathers are hardly perceptible; and this motion occasions that humming noise, from which this delicate little creature derives its name.Here were also immense flocks of monkies: I have seen above two hundred of them in a field of sugar-canes, where they make great devastation. These wary animals place sentinels all round the field to give the alarm; and I myself have been a witness with what sagacity and fidelity they perform this duty, when the whole company hop into the forest, each with his plunder in his paw.Swimming was another of my favourite amusements, which contributed to make me more healthy, and stronger than most of my companions; as it is beautifully expressed by the author of theSeasons:—“This is the purest exercise of health,The kind refresher of the summer heats:————Hence the limbsKnit into force, and the same Roman armThat rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth,First learn’d when tender to subdue the wave.”The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.Barlow sculpt.The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.On the 14th I shot an alligator; but returning from this excursion in a boat, a packet of letters from Colonel[221]Fourgeoud being reached me, unfortunately fell overboard into the water, and sank immediately; some officers, however, the next day coming to the Hope, informed me of the principal contents,viz.that Colonel Fourgeoud, being determined once more to scour the woods, had ordered me to send up all my spare men and provisions, as also the Society troops who were now at Oranjebo, the former to Magdenberg, and the latter to the river Pirica; which I performed, retaining only twelve crippled soldiers at the Hope, and as many at Clarenbeek, without either surgeon or medicines; nevertheless, with this small number, I made daily patroles by land and water—they also informed me of the death of ensignVan Halm, and that another ship with sick was ordered shortly to set sail for Holland.Colonel Fourgeoud, though he himself remained still at Paramaribo, yet continued attentively to command. Thus, on the 23d, he ordered a detachment of one hundred men to reconnoitre from Magdenberg to the Wana Creek and Marawina river; but they returned without any new discoveries.As I was now likely to be continued at the Hope for some time, I sent for my sheep and poultry, from the estate where I had left them, presenting Mr.Gourlywith a ram and a ewe, as being of a breed superior to any in the colony; and I found with joy that my flocks had considerably encreased in numbers.On the 26th one of my men brought me a snake,[222]which he had just killed; it was about four feet long, and not thicker than the barrel of a musket; when perceiving a knob near its middle, larger than my fist, I had the curiosity to cut it open, and an enormous frog made its appearance, perfectly alive and entire, a small spot on the back of its head and neck excepted, which was blue and slimy, as if beginning to putrify. For the sake of experiment, I fastened him with a string to his foot upon a grass-plat near the river for three days; when finding the poor animal hearty and well, I gave him his liberty, with a caution to keep a better look-out for the future.On the 28th I paid a visit toThomas Palmer, Esq. late King’s counsellor at Massachusett’s Bay, upon his estate calledFairfield. Here both the master and his slaves were perfectly happy and contented, chiefly owing to Mr. Palmer’s just and equitable administration to all around him; and such were the consequences of his wise government, that few plantations in the West Indies could boast of greater prosperity, either in point of produce or population; while the courtesy and hospitality of the gentleman-like proprietor to strangers, completed his happy character, which shone conspicuously throughout the colony.Upon my return to the Hope I received a letter from the commander in chief, informing me that Mr. Vinsack with his rangers had killed several rebels, and taken eleven prisoners; but that another party of the rangers had been surprized by the enemy, and several of them shot dead while asleep in their hammocks.[223]During these skirmishes, an instance of presence of mind was exhibited by a rebel negro, I think but seldom equalled:—A ranger having levelled his piece was just going to fire at him, when the man called out, holding up his hand, “What, Sir, do you mean to kill one of your own party?” Which the ranger believing him to be, replied, “God forbid!” and dropping the muzzle of his piece, instantly received a ball through the body from his adversary, which killed him; and who, having thus saved himself, disappeared like a flash of lightning. One of the captive negroes related, that the evening before they were taken, a rebel, who had formerly deserted from Fauconberg was cut to pieces with sabres, by Bonny’s command, as two others had been before we took Gado-Saby.On the 6th of May it blew a violent hurricane, accompanied with thunder and lightning, so that many trees were torn up by the roots, and most of the houses on the Hope blown down or unroofed; my aerial palace, however, by good fortune, withstood this gale; and upon the 8th, Joanna, with her boy, arriving at this place, I promised myself a scene of happiness equal to that I experienced in 1774; especially as my family, my sheep, and my poultry, were now doubled; besides, I had at this time a beautiful garden, and if I could not with propriety be called a planter, I might at least claim, with some degree of justice, the name of a little farmer.On the 9th we all dined with Mr.de Graaff, at his beautiful[224]plantationKnoppemombo, in Cassawina Creek, where this worthy man had foretold, before the birth of my boy, that both he and his mother should one day be happy and free. Here I saw the following roots and plants, which I have not yet observed.—Thetayers, which are the hearts of a farinaceous green shrub, not above two or three feet high, with remarkable large leaves, in the form of a heart, the trunk something resembling that of a banana-tree. This plant being cut down, and with a knife divested of its outer tegument, has the appearance and consistency of a yam or potatoe, but is better eating, having a much finer grain. The tayers are of different kinds; the smallest is preferred, and made use of in the same manner as the above roots. I have here also found a kind of real potatoe, and in large quantities, but they are only used by the negroes, being inferior to the hog-potatoes in Great Britain.Thetobacco plantgrows here with large downy leaves, full of fibres; it flowers almost continually, and will last for twelve or fourteen years, but is so inferior to the Virginia tobacco, that it is only used by the slaves. This plant derived its name from the islandTobago, where it was first discovered, in 1560.They have here also a kind of wildtea, which is accounted very wholesome, but in my opinion is no better than English ground-ivy. I found plenty oftomatè, which being produced in many British gardens, I will not attempt to describe; but only observe[225]that the Jews are particularly fond of it, and stew it with butchers meat instead of onions.Thephysic-nuttree is likewise to be met with here; this is a knotty shrub, that grows about ten or twelve feet in height, and very slender; the nut that it produces has a kernel like an almond, and tastes as well, provided it be deprived of a thin white skin that adheres to it, otherwise a violent vomiting and purging is the immediate consequence of swallowing it. They also shewed me several kinds of peas and beans, and other fruits growing in pods; such as thecassia, a shining hard yellow seed inclosed in a woody shell near sixteen inches long, and very small, with a black soft pulp as sweet as honey: this is considered as a very safe laxative: the cassia grows on a tree very common in Guiana, and which is calledsoete boontiesandcotiaan. Another kind of pod, namedseve-yaars boontie, is so called, because it is said to be in blossom seven years before it produces. The shrub calledsnakee weeree-weereealso grows here; they told me it was a sovereign remedy for fevers, and I take it to be the same as theserpentaria Virginiana, or Virginian snake-root. Lastly, I saw a vegetable or flower here calledseven-boom, which is too frequently used by the young negro girls to promote abortion, as are also the green pine-apples, which are said to have the same effect.Thus having spent not only an agreeable but an instructive day at Knoppemombo, we took leave of our very good friend in the evening, and rowed contentedly[226]back to the Hope, our boat being nearly loaded with presents of every kind, amongst which were some fine cocoa-nuts, that one of his slaves, after walking, I may say more properly than climbing1, up the tree, had brought down in my presence, and after a fierce engagement with a black serpent upon the very top of it, which by the help of his knife he vanquished, and to our admiration dropped it down dead at our feet.The slaves of the Hope and Fauconberg also testified their respect for Joanna and her boy, by bringing in presents of fowls, fruit, eggs, venison, and fish; and Mr. Palmer handsomely presented us with a large quantity of Indian corn to feed our poultry. Thus every thing seemed to contribute to our felicity, which was however considerably allayed by the disagreeable news we received on the 18th, informing me of the death of my dear friend, Mr. Walter Kennedy, shortly after his arrival in Holland2: it was now also confirmed that the Dutch had refused the Scots Brigade to his Britannic Majesty; which greatly surprized me, as I considered it as a claim not only from affinity, but also by treaty.To amuse my mind from these unpleasing subjects, I now paid a short visit to my French acquaintanceMonsieur[227]Cachelieu, at his plantation Egmond. Here, amongst other company, I met with an Italian, a planter called D’O—s, who had but one arm; with which, however, he took up a knife at table, and without the smallest provocation, as I sat next him, made a back thrust at me, to the astonishment of all who were present. Having fortunately parried the blow by beating up his elbow, which occasioned the point of his knife to pass over my shoulder, I started up, and was going to put him instantly to death; but this being prevented, I offered to fight him with one hand tied behind me, and with any instrument he chose, fist, bludgeon, sword, pistol, or even knife; this the cowardly assassin having refused, was kicked out of company, and sent home to his plantation calledHazard.So violent was this unhappy man’s disposition, that some little time before, he ordered a poor negro woman, who was advanced eight months in her pregnancy, to be flogged, until her intestines appeared, and that only for breaking a tumbler. One of his male slaves, trying to evade his severity, was shot dead on the spot; and there was not a slave belonging to his estate but was cut by the lash of his whip from the neck to the heel.Colonel Fourgeoud now sending a proper supply of men, with a surgeon and medicines, the Hope wore a more pleasing aspect, and health and content began to be visible in every countenance. Amongst other things, I encouraged the men to catch fish, which were here in abundance, and the negroes taught them how to make[228]the proper snares, such as thespring-hook, andmansoaor spring-basket. I have given a representation of both these in the plate annexed, where the spring-hook is expressed by the letterA, being a long elastic pole, like a strong fishing-rod, stuck in the ground under water, at the other end of which is fixed a double line, the shortest having fastened to it a small stick, ten inches long, and the other the same, but a little lower; while at the extremity ofthisline is hooked a small fish by the fins, in such a manner as to swim to and fro, and be a bait for the larger species. Two long sticks being next placed in the ground so as to appear above water, a third stick much shorter, forms them like a gallows; above this gallows is bent and fixed the elastic pole, by means of the double line and its beams; but in so very slight a manner, that upon the least touch the whole apparatus gives way, and the large pole erects itself, when the fish that occasioned the spring, by taking the bait, is suspended to the hook in the air, asexhibitedby the figureB.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Basket.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Themansoaor spring-basket is much upon the same construction, and may be seen by referring to letterC, where it is represented open and under water, with the bait swimming in it. This basket is made of warimbo reeds, in the form of a sugar-loaf (the above apparatus being fixed to the middle) in the small end of which the elastic pole is fastened, while at the other end is an open trap-door, the whole being supported in an erect position[229]by a forked stick. No sooner has a large fish entered and taken the bait, than this pole, as in the former, erects itself with a spring, and the snap or trap-door shuts on the invader, and he is taken, as may be seen by letterD. This differs from the former, no hook of any kind being necessary. An idea of the ingenuity of the negroes may be formed from these constructions, as this mode of catching their fish requires no attendance, for the snaps being set at night, the fish is found in the morning, which is generally the newmara or barracota already described.Among the variety of fish caught here was thesiliba, a small oval fish, marked not unlike a pine-apple; thesokay, which is a large fish, and very good eating; thetorro-torro, and another calledtarpoen; the first three feet in length; the other, which is white, about two feet six inches.On the 26th, I saw a most surprising display of activity, strength, and courage by a young female negro, calledClardina, at the Hope; where a wild stag having strayed from the flock, at the moment it came bounding over the foot-path she seized it in full speed by the hinder leg, but not being able to stop it, she suffered herself to be dragged to a considerable distance, nor until she was terribly wounded would she let go her hold.The Hope was now truly a charming habitation, being perfectly dry even in spring-tides, and washed by pleasing canals that let in the fresh-water every tide; while the hedges surrounding the fields and gardens were[230]neatly cut, and produced fruit and vegetables of many species for our use. The houses and bridges were also all repaired, while the strictest adherence to cleanliness was recommended and enforced among the men: by these means not one sick person out of fifty was now to be found, where sloth, stench, and disease had so lately spread their destructive influence, and to which the land and sea-scurvy had given the most fatal assistance. Of the above scorbutic complaints, the former covers the body over with blotches, and the latter chiefly affects the teeth and gums.I now enjoyed the greatest flow of health and spirits, while most of my old ship-mates were either dead or returned to Europe; not a single officer at this time being in rank above me, except only such as had been formerly inured to the West India climate.But to return to my garden—this at present exhibited carrots, cabbages, onions, cucumbers, lettuces, radishes, pepper, cresses, &c. all thriving as well as in Europe; besides sorrel of two kinds, the common and the red, this last grows upon a shrub, and is excellent for making jam or marmalade. The jessamine also was found here of different species, that growing on a small tree being most admired: it is of a pale but beautiful red colour, and a most agreeable smell; the leaves are thick, shining, and filled with a milky juice. A species of sensitive shrub they callshame-shame, grew also here, as did the sleeping plant, so called from its leaves, which are set in pairs,[231]clapping close together from sun-set to sun-rise, and appearing as if the two were but one; but as soon as the sun is up they again open, and resume their double form. The above-mentioned shrubs were all dispersed through my hedges, besides pomegranates and Indian roses, which blow every day; while a few elegant red-lilies, which also grow wild in the savannas, adorned the banks of my canals, the leaves of which flower have a very bright and beautiful green polish.Thus situated, we were visited, amongst others, by a Madamede Z—e, in company with her brother, and a Mr.Schadts, who were lately arrived from Holland; this lady was supposed the finest woman that even Europe produced, as well as the most accomplished. She spoke several languages, and was a perfect mistress of music and painting; she danced elegantly, and rode vastly well on horseback; she even excelled in shooting and fencing, &c. In order to make her perfect mistress of all the fashionable exercises, I offered her my assistance in teaching her to swim, which, however, with a smile, she thought proper to refuse.My soldiers, and even negroes, seemed now completely happy, amongst whom the most perfect harmony subsisted; while I frequently indulged them with a merry evening, and a grey-beard of rum.One night, in the midst of this festivity, I secretly ordered the sentinel to fire his piece, and cause a false alarm, as if the enemy were on the estate; when I had[232]the satisfaction to see them seize their arms, and rush out with the utmost order and intrepidity. This experiment I was the rather inclined to put in practice, as it was reported that the rebels intended soon to pay a visit to the River Comewina. But we soon experienced that no scene of perfect felicity can be lasting, for the dry season now suddenly setting-in, disease and mortality once more began to rage among us, ten or twelve men dying daily at the Java Creek and Magdenburg, while those under my command at the Hope diminished hourly.On the 3d, the surgeon made me the following report, “That my Ensign, Mr.Decabanes, had his anchor-a-peek, and would certainly set sail for the other world with the ebb-tide;” which was really the case, for he died that very evening. This grieved me the more, as he had obtained his commission through my interest, and bore an excellent character.On the 4th of June, the spring-flood broke down my dams while we were drinking the King’s health, and laid the whole post under water, which created vast confusion; and in this distress the overseerBlendermanrefused to lend me any assistance, which occasioned so violent a quarrel, that he was glad to take to his heels, and make his escape from the plantation. I shall never have done mentioning the insolence of these savage brutes, who mostly are the refuse of the earth, brought up in Germany, or elsewhere, under the cane of a corporal.[233]“Well,” said one of these miscreants ironically to an oldfreenegro, “don’t you believe that the monkies are a race of damn’d Christians, who have been thus transformed for shewing so much lenity to such as you?”—“No, sir,” replied the black man, “we do not think that the monkies are damn’d Christians; but I, and all of us, believe that many who call themselves Christians are a pack of damn’d monkies.”—Which pointed repartee afforded me infinite satisfaction.Of the administrators I shall say nothing, nor of the appraisers of estates; having, I believe, already mentioned that the first got tenper cent.of all the produce, and many of the latter enrich the purchasers and themselves by selling under the value such property as is entrusted to their care.On the 7th, Mr.Moryn, administrator of the Hope, being in a piece of newly-cultivated ground on the opposite shore, I rowed over to obtain satisfaction of the impertinent Blenderman, who was along with him; but this fellow’s cowardice being equal to his insolence and barbarity, he made every concession, and promised likewise to repair my dams, rather than run the risque of broken bones—thus a reconciliation was established.Walking through these new fields, where a neat house was already built, I saw some beautiful birds, amongst which was thewood-pecker. I ought indeed to have described this bird before, and another, the name unknown to me, having had an opportunity of doing it when I was at Magdenburg, but I then took only drawings of them.[234]The wood-pecker is about the size of a thrush, and of an elegant cinnamon-colour, speckled with dark brown and yellow; near the rump it is entirely yellow; the head is crested with a fine crown of small feathers, of the same colour as the body: the tail is long and black; the bill is straight, and of a sea-green colour, as are the legs and iris of the eyes, under which on each side are two spots of beautiful crimson.The anonymous bird, which, however, the negroes calledwoodo-louso-fowlo, from its feeding on wood-lice, is larger than the former, and uncommonly brilliant in its plumage; the head and upper part of its body being of a rich grass green; the breast and belly crimson, divided by an ash-coloured bar. The tail is long, and of a dark blue, as are the prime feathers in the wings, which are also divided from the green by another ash-coloured bar; the bill is yellow and hooked, being surrounded by a number of small black feathers, as are the eyes, the iris of which is of a blood colour. (Both these birds may be seen in the annexed plate.)—As I have already observed, however rich and beautiful the plumage may be which decorates the groves of Surinam, the melodious song there is but seldom heard. They had also here the tamegalinas, or Guinea-hens, calledtokay, which being so well known in England, require no particular description.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Among the plants which I saw here was theAmerican aloe, above half a foot in thickness, and twenty feet high; it is an ever-green, pithy within and without, covered[235]with sharp-pointed follicles, growing less as they approach the summit. This tree has numerous thick leaves diverging at its base, like the pine-apple plant, which are very long, broad pointed, and dentulated with strong prickles. On the top grows a cluster of yellow flowers, whose pedicles contain the seed of future aloes, and which never fail to come to perfection in the space of two months.In the skirts of the surrounding woods I saw also thevanillas, orbanilla, which is a shrub that climbs up along the trunks of other trees, adhering to thebarklike nebees or ivy, by the help of its tendrils: the leaves are prodigiously thick, and dark green, the fruit consisting of a triangular pod six or eight inches long, and filled with small polished seeds. These pods, being dried a fortnight in the sun, become brown, and have a fat rich aromatic taste, and most agreeable flavour; on which account they are used to scent the chocolate. There are different kinds ofvanilla, but that is most esteemed which has its pods the most long and most slender. The negroes shewed me here also a small sweetish seed, which they calledbongora.As I returned to the Hope, I met Cojo, Joanna’s uncle, who had shot one of thehowling baboons, which he brought to the Hope to shew it me. These animals are the size of a small bull-dog, and the colour a reddish-brown, with long hair; they have also a beard, and are upon the whole extremely ugly; but what chiefly distinguishes them from other monkies is their abominable[236]howl, which they perform in chorus whole groupes together, and so loud, that it may be heard above a mile; these discordant concerts, the negroes told me, they generally repeat, both night and day, at the time of high water, which, it is supposed, the baboons know by instinct.—When speaking of instinct in animals, I cannot omit relating the following singular fact; after which I shall return to the historical part of my narrative.On the 16th I was visited by a neighbouring gentleman, whom I conducted up my ladder; but he had no sooner entered my aerial dwelling, than he leapt down from the top to the ground, roaring like a madman with agony and pain, after which he instantly plunged his head into the river; but looking up, I soon discovered the cause of his distress to be an enormous nest of wild bees orwassee-wassee, in the thatch, directly above my head, as I stood within my door; when I immediately took to my heels as he had done, and ordered them to be demolished by my slaves without delay. A tar mop was now brought, and the devastation just going to commence, when an old negro stepped up, and offered to receive any punishment I should decree if ever one of these bees should stingme in person. “Massera,” said he, “they would have stung you long ere now had you been a stranger to them; but they being your tenants, that is gradually allowed to build upon your premisses, they assuredly know both you and your’s, and will never hurt either you or them.” I instantly assented to the[237]proposition, and tying the old black man to a tree, ordered my boy Quaco to ascend the ladder quite naked, which he did, and wasnotstung; I then ventured to follow, and I declare upon my honour, that even after shaking the nest, which made its inhabitants buz about my ears, not a single bee attempted to sting me. I next released the old negro, and rewarded him with a gallon of rum and five shillings for the discovery. This swarm of bees I since kept unhurt, as my body-guards, and they have made many overseers take a desperate leap for my amusement, as I generally sent them up my ladder upon some frivolous message, when I wished to punish them for injustice and cruelty, which was not seldom.The above negro assured me, that on his master’s estate was an ancient tree, in which had been lodged ever since he could remember, a society ofbirds, and another ofbees, who lived in the greatest harmony together; but should any strange birds come to disturb or feed upon the bees, they were instantly repulsed by their feathered allies, and if strange bees dared to venture near the birds nests, the native swarm attacked the invaders, and stung them to death: that his master and family had so much respect for the above association, that the tree was considered as sacred, and was not to be touched by an axe until it should yield to all-destroying time.On the 22d, a patrole arrived from Rietwyk, in Pirica, who informed me, that a party of our troops were just returned to Java Creek from a cruize toVredenburg, at[238]the Marawina; and that, in conjunction with the rangers, they had during this campaign destroyed many fields of provisions belonging to the rebels: also, that for their faithful services, our sable allies had been complimented by the Society with new arms, and, for the first time, cloathed in green uniform jackets. I further learned that theambassadorsto theOwcaandSeramecanegroes were returned after a fruitless journey, as neither of these associations would lend the smallest assistance. In consequence of this refusal, Colonel Fourgeoud, being wearied himself, and having exhausted his troops in destroying most of the rebel settlements, at length determined to relinquish the whole expedition; which resolution he previously communicated to his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange at the Hague.On the 23d I received positive orders to prepare and be ready on the 15th of July, to break up, with all the troops under my command, leave the River Comewina, and row down to Paramaribo, where the transport ships were put in commission to convey us back to Holland. This order I instantly read before the front to all my men, who received it with unbounded joy and three cheers—but I alone sighed bitterly.—Oh my Joanna! Oh my boy! who were at this time both dangerously ill, the one with a fever, the other with convulsions, so that neither were expected to survive. Add to this, that I ran a nail quite through my foot—thus was completely miserable.During this scene of sickness and distress, thestrixor[239]night-owlof Guiana regularly paid us his nocturnal visits, even in the apartment where we lay, pouring out his melancholy hootings, until be was killed by one of my black attendants. This bird is here calledOoroocoocoo, from its note, to which this word has some affinity. It is about the size of a pigeon; the bill is yellow, and hooked like that of a sparrow-hawk; the eyes are also yellow; the tongue is cloven; the ears very visible; the legs strong, short, and armed with sharp claws: the general colour of this bird is a pale brown, except the breast and belly, which are white, intermixed with some spots of amber. The superstitious negroes generally believe that where the night-owl makes his appearance mortality must ensue: which prejudice is the more excusable, as this creature only frequents the apartments of the sick; but the real cause which attracts the animal, I apprehend to be thelightsthat upon these occasions are generally kept burning all night, or possibly the morbid, and putrid air, which excites its appetite for prey.An old Indian woman of Joanna’s acquaintance being now sent for to the Hope, I myself was soon cured by her skill and attention; but my little family continued so very unwell, that I thought it right to send them to Paramaribo before it was too late. And on the 10th of July I sent all my sheep and poultry to Fauconberg, one couple of fat ewes excepted, which I killed, and with which, by the addition of fish and venison, I entertained for two days following twenty-four of the most respectable inhabitants[240]in the river, while the white bread, fruit, and Spanish wines to help out the feast, I received as a present from my very worthy friend, Mr. James Gourland, at Berghoven.On the 13th I ordered down the troops fromClarenbeek, where an hospital had been asecondtime erected, and they this evening anchored off the Hope.On the 14th, an officer of the Honourable Society troops arrived to relieve me in the command of the river; and his men from that moment began to perform the duty.I now removed my flag from the Hope to the barges; and in the evening took my last farewel of Joanna’s relations on the Fauconberg estate; who, crouding round me, expressed their sorrow aloud for my departure, and with tears invoked the protection of Heaven for my safe and prosperous voyage.On the 15th we finally left the Hope, having marched my troops on board the barges at ten o’clock, A.M.; and at noon I fired my pistol as a signal to weigh anchor, when we immediately proceeded down the River Comewina for the roads of Paramaribo, to be embarked on board the transport ships for Europe.[241]1See Vol. II. page 69. plate L.↑2This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youthCampbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same.↑

[Contents]CHAP. XXV.Singular Method of detecting a Theft—Rencounter between the Rangers and Rebels—Amazonian Action of a black Girl—Wonderful Sagacity in wild Bees—The Regiment receives a second Order to return to Europe.On the 27th of March, 1776, adieu once more Paramaribo, my Joanna, and my boy!This morning, a little before I sat out, I saw a Mr.d’Halberghterribly bitten by a large iguana or lizard, at the very moment he was pressing me and my companions to stay a few days, to be present at the celebration of what he called hisSilver-feast, being the twenty-fifth anniversary of his marriage; but after condoling with him upon account of the accident, we embarked in a tent-barge, and arrived that evening at the Sporksgift estate in Matapica. Here we were entertained two days by Captain Mac Neal, with the greatest hospitality. I was however nearly suffocated by the steam of some green coffee, which was spread on the floor of the lodge where I had slung my hammock.Late on the evening of the 29th, we arrived at theGold-mineplantation, where we found a negro boy and girl, suspended by each others side from a high beam, by a rope fastened to theirthumbs, which were tied behind[217]their backs, this almost dislocated their shoulders, and must have occasioned the most agonizing tortures. Thus I cut the miserable victims down, without leave or ceremony, and swore that instant to demolish the tyrannical overseer who had inflicted this new mode of punishment, unless he promised immediately to forgive them; which he miraculously did in my presence.On the 30th, a little before we landed at the Hope, I discovered that all my sugar, with the greatest part of my rum, was gone; and detected the thief by the following laughable stratagem (though not my own invention)—I told the negroes, six in number, that a parrot’s feather was to grow within six minutes upon the tip of his nose who was most guilty; at the same time pronouncing a few incoherent words, and making two or three circles with my sabre, I shut myself within the tilt: here, peeping through the key-hole, and observing the rowers with great attention, without their perceiving me, I soon saw one of them, at every stroke of the oar, put up his hand, and feel the tip of his nose; upon which I instantly ran up to him, and cried, “I see the parrot’s feather! Thou art the thief, thou rascal!” To which the poor superstitious fellow instantly answered, “Yaw, me massera!” then kneeling to thesorcererfor mercy, and the others also intreating me to spare him, I pardoned the credulous thief and his accomplices, who by their candid confession obtained a piece of salt beef for their dinner, and a gourd full of good grog in the bargain.[218]Immediately on my arrival I took the command of the whole river, and now was once more the Prince of Comewina. I also built an elevatedpalace, in imitation ofPrince Bonny’s at Boosy-Cry, on twelve strong stakes; which aerial habitation I found very necessary, the whole post being almost under water by the inundations, and by neglect become a perfect mire-pool, while of my former cottage not a vestige was to be seen. Here I found the marines in perfect misery, being almost naked, and having sold their very shoes for a mouthful of fresh provisions. These grievances, however, by my labour and intercession with Colonel Fourgeoud, whose favourite I now became more and more, were speedily redressed, and the Hope, in a little time, appeared like a paradise, when compared with its former state.Shooting was now, as formerly, my favourite diversion; and on the 4th I brought home a kind ofplover, a couple ofred-breasts, and near a dozengrass-sparrows.The plover of Guiana is the size of a pigeon, its colour a dark-brown and white, with transverse bars. The wet savannahs are full of them, and they are delicate eating. The red-breast is a kind of large bull-finch, with the upper part of its body a deep chesnut; and all the rest a blood-colour: this is reckoned as good as an ortolan, and abounds on all the plantations. The grass-sparrow, which I think is by some called theanaca, is a beautiful little creature, like a paroquet; these birds are perfectly green, with a white bill and red eyes. They do[219]much damage amongst the rice and Indian corn, flying in prodigious flocks upon the plantations.At the Hope thetrochulus, or humming-birds, were so thick among the tamarind-trees, that they resembled a swarm of bees; a LieutenantSwildensdaily fetching down several of them, by blowing small peas or Indian corn through a hollow reed.Of all the tropical birds, this little creature is particularly worth attention, not only on account of its beauty, but for its diminutive size, being smaller than the first joint of a man’s finger; and when deprived of its feathers not larger than a blue-bottle fly. However, there are several species, and some twice as large. These birds vary much in their colour: in the shade they appear generally of a deep shining green; which, by the reflection of the sun, produces a splendid purple brown and azure. The head is crested with a small tuft of feathers, green, black, and gold; the tail and wings are a glossy black; the bill is not much thicker than a pin, it is long, black, and crooked at the end; the tongue is forked, and resembles a red silk thread; with this they sip the nectar or honey from the flowers, during which time they are stationary, exactly like bees, and this juice seems to be the only nourishment of these little creatures. They often make their nest on the leaf of a wild pine-apple, or dwarf aloe, which is constructed mostly of cotton, and not larger than the husk of a walnut; their eggs are about the size of peas, and only two in number. Madam Merian says, that the humming-bird[220]sits onfoureggs; which, for my part, I never saw or heard of during my residence in Guiana.In the annexed plate I have endeavoured to represent them and their little habitation in natural size; though I found it impossible to make the drawing more perfect, their motion upon the wing being so very quick, that the feathers are hardly perceptible; and this motion occasions that humming noise, from which this delicate little creature derives its name.Here were also immense flocks of monkies: I have seen above two hundred of them in a field of sugar-canes, where they make great devastation. These wary animals place sentinels all round the field to give the alarm; and I myself have been a witness with what sagacity and fidelity they perform this duty, when the whole company hop into the forest, each with his plunder in his paw.Swimming was another of my favourite amusements, which contributed to make me more healthy, and stronger than most of my companions; as it is beautifully expressed by the author of theSeasons:—“This is the purest exercise of health,The kind refresher of the summer heats:————Hence the limbsKnit into force, and the same Roman armThat rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth,First learn’d when tender to subdue the wave.”The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.Barlow sculpt.The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.On the 14th I shot an alligator; but returning from this excursion in a boat, a packet of letters from Colonel[221]Fourgeoud being reached me, unfortunately fell overboard into the water, and sank immediately; some officers, however, the next day coming to the Hope, informed me of the principal contents,viz.that Colonel Fourgeoud, being determined once more to scour the woods, had ordered me to send up all my spare men and provisions, as also the Society troops who were now at Oranjebo, the former to Magdenberg, and the latter to the river Pirica; which I performed, retaining only twelve crippled soldiers at the Hope, and as many at Clarenbeek, without either surgeon or medicines; nevertheless, with this small number, I made daily patroles by land and water—they also informed me of the death of ensignVan Halm, and that another ship with sick was ordered shortly to set sail for Holland.Colonel Fourgeoud, though he himself remained still at Paramaribo, yet continued attentively to command. Thus, on the 23d, he ordered a detachment of one hundred men to reconnoitre from Magdenberg to the Wana Creek and Marawina river; but they returned without any new discoveries.As I was now likely to be continued at the Hope for some time, I sent for my sheep and poultry, from the estate where I had left them, presenting Mr.Gourlywith a ram and a ewe, as being of a breed superior to any in the colony; and I found with joy that my flocks had considerably encreased in numbers.On the 26th one of my men brought me a snake,[222]which he had just killed; it was about four feet long, and not thicker than the barrel of a musket; when perceiving a knob near its middle, larger than my fist, I had the curiosity to cut it open, and an enormous frog made its appearance, perfectly alive and entire, a small spot on the back of its head and neck excepted, which was blue and slimy, as if beginning to putrify. For the sake of experiment, I fastened him with a string to his foot upon a grass-plat near the river for three days; when finding the poor animal hearty and well, I gave him his liberty, with a caution to keep a better look-out for the future.On the 28th I paid a visit toThomas Palmer, Esq. late King’s counsellor at Massachusett’s Bay, upon his estate calledFairfield. Here both the master and his slaves were perfectly happy and contented, chiefly owing to Mr. Palmer’s just and equitable administration to all around him; and such were the consequences of his wise government, that few plantations in the West Indies could boast of greater prosperity, either in point of produce or population; while the courtesy and hospitality of the gentleman-like proprietor to strangers, completed his happy character, which shone conspicuously throughout the colony.Upon my return to the Hope I received a letter from the commander in chief, informing me that Mr. Vinsack with his rangers had killed several rebels, and taken eleven prisoners; but that another party of the rangers had been surprized by the enemy, and several of them shot dead while asleep in their hammocks.[223]During these skirmishes, an instance of presence of mind was exhibited by a rebel negro, I think but seldom equalled:—A ranger having levelled his piece was just going to fire at him, when the man called out, holding up his hand, “What, Sir, do you mean to kill one of your own party?” Which the ranger believing him to be, replied, “God forbid!” and dropping the muzzle of his piece, instantly received a ball through the body from his adversary, which killed him; and who, having thus saved himself, disappeared like a flash of lightning. One of the captive negroes related, that the evening before they were taken, a rebel, who had formerly deserted from Fauconberg was cut to pieces with sabres, by Bonny’s command, as two others had been before we took Gado-Saby.On the 6th of May it blew a violent hurricane, accompanied with thunder and lightning, so that many trees were torn up by the roots, and most of the houses on the Hope blown down or unroofed; my aerial palace, however, by good fortune, withstood this gale; and upon the 8th, Joanna, with her boy, arriving at this place, I promised myself a scene of happiness equal to that I experienced in 1774; especially as my family, my sheep, and my poultry, were now doubled; besides, I had at this time a beautiful garden, and if I could not with propriety be called a planter, I might at least claim, with some degree of justice, the name of a little farmer.On the 9th we all dined with Mr.de Graaff, at his beautiful[224]plantationKnoppemombo, in Cassawina Creek, where this worthy man had foretold, before the birth of my boy, that both he and his mother should one day be happy and free. Here I saw the following roots and plants, which I have not yet observed.—Thetayers, which are the hearts of a farinaceous green shrub, not above two or three feet high, with remarkable large leaves, in the form of a heart, the trunk something resembling that of a banana-tree. This plant being cut down, and with a knife divested of its outer tegument, has the appearance and consistency of a yam or potatoe, but is better eating, having a much finer grain. The tayers are of different kinds; the smallest is preferred, and made use of in the same manner as the above roots. I have here also found a kind of real potatoe, and in large quantities, but they are only used by the negroes, being inferior to the hog-potatoes in Great Britain.Thetobacco plantgrows here with large downy leaves, full of fibres; it flowers almost continually, and will last for twelve or fourteen years, but is so inferior to the Virginia tobacco, that it is only used by the slaves. This plant derived its name from the islandTobago, where it was first discovered, in 1560.They have here also a kind of wildtea, which is accounted very wholesome, but in my opinion is no better than English ground-ivy. I found plenty oftomatè, which being produced in many British gardens, I will not attempt to describe; but only observe[225]that the Jews are particularly fond of it, and stew it with butchers meat instead of onions.Thephysic-nuttree is likewise to be met with here; this is a knotty shrub, that grows about ten or twelve feet in height, and very slender; the nut that it produces has a kernel like an almond, and tastes as well, provided it be deprived of a thin white skin that adheres to it, otherwise a violent vomiting and purging is the immediate consequence of swallowing it. They also shewed me several kinds of peas and beans, and other fruits growing in pods; such as thecassia, a shining hard yellow seed inclosed in a woody shell near sixteen inches long, and very small, with a black soft pulp as sweet as honey: this is considered as a very safe laxative: the cassia grows on a tree very common in Guiana, and which is calledsoete boontiesandcotiaan. Another kind of pod, namedseve-yaars boontie, is so called, because it is said to be in blossom seven years before it produces. The shrub calledsnakee weeree-weereealso grows here; they told me it was a sovereign remedy for fevers, and I take it to be the same as theserpentaria Virginiana, or Virginian snake-root. Lastly, I saw a vegetable or flower here calledseven-boom, which is too frequently used by the young negro girls to promote abortion, as are also the green pine-apples, which are said to have the same effect.Thus having spent not only an agreeable but an instructive day at Knoppemombo, we took leave of our very good friend in the evening, and rowed contentedly[226]back to the Hope, our boat being nearly loaded with presents of every kind, amongst which were some fine cocoa-nuts, that one of his slaves, after walking, I may say more properly than climbing1, up the tree, had brought down in my presence, and after a fierce engagement with a black serpent upon the very top of it, which by the help of his knife he vanquished, and to our admiration dropped it down dead at our feet.The slaves of the Hope and Fauconberg also testified their respect for Joanna and her boy, by bringing in presents of fowls, fruit, eggs, venison, and fish; and Mr. Palmer handsomely presented us with a large quantity of Indian corn to feed our poultry. Thus every thing seemed to contribute to our felicity, which was however considerably allayed by the disagreeable news we received on the 18th, informing me of the death of my dear friend, Mr. Walter Kennedy, shortly after his arrival in Holland2: it was now also confirmed that the Dutch had refused the Scots Brigade to his Britannic Majesty; which greatly surprized me, as I considered it as a claim not only from affinity, but also by treaty.To amuse my mind from these unpleasing subjects, I now paid a short visit to my French acquaintanceMonsieur[227]Cachelieu, at his plantation Egmond. Here, amongst other company, I met with an Italian, a planter called D’O—s, who had but one arm; with which, however, he took up a knife at table, and without the smallest provocation, as I sat next him, made a back thrust at me, to the astonishment of all who were present. Having fortunately parried the blow by beating up his elbow, which occasioned the point of his knife to pass over my shoulder, I started up, and was going to put him instantly to death; but this being prevented, I offered to fight him with one hand tied behind me, and with any instrument he chose, fist, bludgeon, sword, pistol, or even knife; this the cowardly assassin having refused, was kicked out of company, and sent home to his plantation calledHazard.So violent was this unhappy man’s disposition, that some little time before, he ordered a poor negro woman, who was advanced eight months in her pregnancy, to be flogged, until her intestines appeared, and that only for breaking a tumbler. One of his male slaves, trying to evade his severity, was shot dead on the spot; and there was not a slave belonging to his estate but was cut by the lash of his whip from the neck to the heel.Colonel Fourgeoud now sending a proper supply of men, with a surgeon and medicines, the Hope wore a more pleasing aspect, and health and content began to be visible in every countenance. Amongst other things, I encouraged the men to catch fish, which were here in abundance, and the negroes taught them how to make[228]the proper snares, such as thespring-hook, andmansoaor spring-basket. I have given a representation of both these in the plate annexed, where the spring-hook is expressed by the letterA, being a long elastic pole, like a strong fishing-rod, stuck in the ground under water, at the other end of which is fixed a double line, the shortest having fastened to it a small stick, ten inches long, and the other the same, but a little lower; while at the extremity ofthisline is hooked a small fish by the fins, in such a manner as to swim to and fro, and be a bait for the larger species. Two long sticks being next placed in the ground so as to appear above water, a third stick much shorter, forms them like a gallows; above this gallows is bent and fixed the elastic pole, by means of the double line and its beams; but in so very slight a manner, that upon the least touch the whole apparatus gives way, and the large pole erects itself, when the fish that occasioned the spring, by taking the bait, is suspended to the hook in the air, asexhibitedby the figureB.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Basket.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Themansoaor spring-basket is much upon the same construction, and may be seen by referring to letterC, where it is represented open and under water, with the bait swimming in it. This basket is made of warimbo reeds, in the form of a sugar-loaf (the above apparatus being fixed to the middle) in the small end of which the elastic pole is fastened, while at the other end is an open trap-door, the whole being supported in an erect position[229]by a forked stick. No sooner has a large fish entered and taken the bait, than this pole, as in the former, erects itself with a spring, and the snap or trap-door shuts on the invader, and he is taken, as may be seen by letterD. This differs from the former, no hook of any kind being necessary. An idea of the ingenuity of the negroes may be formed from these constructions, as this mode of catching their fish requires no attendance, for the snaps being set at night, the fish is found in the morning, which is generally the newmara or barracota already described.Among the variety of fish caught here was thesiliba, a small oval fish, marked not unlike a pine-apple; thesokay, which is a large fish, and very good eating; thetorro-torro, and another calledtarpoen; the first three feet in length; the other, which is white, about two feet six inches.On the 26th, I saw a most surprising display of activity, strength, and courage by a young female negro, calledClardina, at the Hope; where a wild stag having strayed from the flock, at the moment it came bounding over the foot-path she seized it in full speed by the hinder leg, but not being able to stop it, she suffered herself to be dragged to a considerable distance, nor until she was terribly wounded would she let go her hold.The Hope was now truly a charming habitation, being perfectly dry even in spring-tides, and washed by pleasing canals that let in the fresh-water every tide; while the hedges surrounding the fields and gardens were[230]neatly cut, and produced fruit and vegetables of many species for our use. The houses and bridges were also all repaired, while the strictest adherence to cleanliness was recommended and enforced among the men: by these means not one sick person out of fifty was now to be found, where sloth, stench, and disease had so lately spread their destructive influence, and to which the land and sea-scurvy had given the most fatal assistance. Of the above scorbutic complaints, the former covers the body over with blotches, and the latter chiefly affects the teeth and gums.I now enjoyed the greatest flow of health and spirits, while most of my old ship-mates were either dead or returned to Europe; not a single officer at this time being in rank above me, except only such as had been formerly inured to the West India climate.But to return to my garden—this at present exhibited carrots, cabbages, onions, cucumbers, lettuces, radishes, pepper, cresses, &c. all thriving as well as in Europe; besides sorrel of two kinds, the common and the red, this last grows upon a shrub, and is excellent for making jam or marmalade. The jessamine also was found here of different species, that growing on a small tree being most admired: it is of a pale but beautiful red colour, and a most agreeable smell; the leaves are thick, shining, and filled with a milky juice. A species of sensitive shrub they callshame-shame, grew also here, as did the sleeping plant, so called from its leaves, which are set in pairs,[231]clapping close together from sun-set to sun-rise, and appearing as if the two were but one; but as soon as the sun is up they again open, and resume their double form. The above-mentioned shrubs were all dispersed through my hedges, besides pomegranates and Indian roses, which blow every day; while a few elegant red-lilies, which also grow wild in the savannas, adorned the banks of my canals, the leaves of which flower have a very bright and beautiful green polish.Thus situated, we were visited, amongst others, by a Madamede Z—e, in company with her brother, and a Mr.Schadts, who were lately arrived from Holland; this lady was supposed the finest woman that even Europe produced, as well as the most accomplished. She spoke several languages, and was a perfect mistress of music and painting; she danced elegantly, and rode vastly well on horseback; she even excelled in shooting and fencing, &c. In order to make her perfect mistress of all the fashionable exercises, I offered her my assistance in teaching her to swim, which, however, with a smile, she thought proper to refuse.My soldiers, and even negroes, seemed now completely happy, amongst whom the most perfect harmony subsisted; while I frequently indulged them with a merry evening, and a grey-beard of rum.One night, in the midst of this festivity, I secretly ordered the sentinel to fire his piece, and cause a false alarm, as if the enemy were on the estate; when I had[232]the satisfaction to see them seize their arms, and rush out with the utmost order and intrepidity. This experiment I was the rather inclined to put in practice, as it was reported that the rebels intended soon to pay a visit to the River Comewina. But we soon experienced that no scene of perfect felicity can be lasting, for the dry season now suddenly setting-in, disease and mortality once more began to rage among us, ten or twelve men dying daily at the Java Creek and Magdenburg, while those under my command at the Hope diminished hourly.On the 3d, the surgeon made me the following report, “That my Ensign, Mr.Decabanes, had his anchor-a-peek, and would certainly set sail for the other world with the ebb-tide;” which was really the case, for he died that very evening. This grieved me the more, as he had obtained his commission through my interest, and bore an excellent character.On the 4th of June, the spring-flood broke down my dams while we were drinking the King’s health, and laid the whole post under water, which created vast confusion; and in this distress the overseerBlendermanrefused to lend me any assistance, which occasioned so violent a quarrel, that he was glad to take to his heels, and make his escape from the plantation. I shall never have done mentioning the insolence of these savage brutes, who mostly are the refuse of the earth, brought up in Germany, or elsewhere, under the cane of a corporal.[233]“Well,” said one of these miscreants ironically to an oldfreenegro, “don’t you believe that the monkies are a race of damn’d Christians, who have been thus transformed for shewing so much lenity to such as you?”—“No, sir,” replied the black man, “we do not think that the monkies are damn’d Christians; but I, and all of us, believe that many who call themselves Christians are a pack of damn’d monkies.”—Which pointed repartee afforded me infinite satisfaction.Of the administrators I shall say nothing, nor of the appraisers of estates; having, I believe, already mentioned that the first got tenper cent.of all the produce, and many of the latter enrich the purchasers and themselves by selling under the value such property as is entrusted to their care.On the 7th, Mr.Moryn, administrator of the Hope, being in a piece of newly-cultivated ground on the opposite shore, I rowed over to obtain satisfaction of the impertinent Blenderman, who was along with him; but this fellow’s cowardice being equal to his insolence and barbarity, he made every concession, and promised likewise to repair my dams, rather than run the risque of broken bones—thus a reconciliation was established.Walking through these new fields, where a neat house was already built, I saw some beautiful birds, amongst which was thewood-pecker. I ought indeed to have described this bird before, and another, the name unknown to me, having had an opportunity of doing it when I was at Magdenburg, but I then took only drawings of them.[234]The wood-pecker is about the size of a thrush, and of an elegant cinnamon-colour, speckled with dark brown and yellow; near the rump it is entirely yellow; the head is crested with a fine crown of small feathers, of the same colour as the body: the tail is long and black; the bill is straight, and of a sea-green colour, as are the legs and iris of the eyes, under which on each side are two spots of beautiful crimson.The anonymous bird, which, however, the negroes calledwoodo-louso-fowlo, from its feeding on wood-lice, is larger than the former, and uncommonly brilliant in its plumage; the head and upper part of its body being of a rich grass green; the breast and belly crimson, divided by an ash-coloured bar. The tail is long, and of a dark blue, as are the prime feathers in the wings, which are also divided from the green by another ash-coloured bar; the bill is yellow and hooked, being surrounded by a number of small black feathers, as are the eyes, the iris of which is of a blood colour. (Both these birds may be seen in the annexed plate.)—As I have already observed, however rich and beautiful the plumage may be which decorates the groves of Surinam, the melodious song there is but seldom heard. They had also here the tamegalinas, or Guinea-hens, calledtokay, which being so well known in England, require no particular description.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Among the plants which I saw here was theAmerican aloe, above half a foot in thickness, and twenty feet high; it is an ever-green, pithy within and without, covered[235]with sharp-pointed follicles, growing less as they approach the summit. This tree has numerous thick leaves diverging at its base, like the pine-apple plant, which are very long, broad pointed, and dentulated with strong prickles. On the top grows a cluster of yellow flowers, whose pedicles contain the seed of future aloes, and which never fail to come to perfection in the space of two months.In the skirts of the surrounding woods I saw also thevanillas, orbanilla, which is a shrub that climbs up along the trunks of other trees, adhering to thebarklike nebees or ivy, by the help of its tendrils: the leaves are prodigiously thick, and dark green, the fruit consisting of a triangular pod six or eight inches long, and filled with small polished seeds. These pods, being dried a fortnight in the sun, become brown, and have a fat rich aromatic taste, and most agreeable flavour; on which account they are used to scent the chocolate. There are different kinds ofvanilla, but that is most esteemed which has its pods the most long and most slender. The negroes shewed me here also a small sweetish seed, which they calledbongora.As I returned to the Hope, I met Cojo, Joanna’s uncle, who had shot one of thehowling baboons, which he brought to the Hope to shew it me. These animals are the size of a small bull-dog, and the colour a reddish-brown, with long hair; they have also a beard, and are upon the whole extremely ugly; but what chiefly distinguishes them from other monkies is their abominable[236]howl, which they perform in chorus whole groupes together, and so loud, that it may be heard above a mile; these discordant concerts, the negroes told me, they generally repeat, both night and day, at the time of high water, which, it is supposed, the baboons know by instinct.—When speaking of instinct in animals, I cannot omit relating the following singular fact; after which I shall return to the historical part of my narrative.On the 16th I was visited by a neighbouring gentleman, whom I conducted up my ladder; but he had no sooner entered my aerial dwelling, than he leapt down from the top to the ground, roaring like a madman with agony and pain, after which he instantly plunged his head into the river; but looking up, I soon discovered the cause of his distress to be an enormous nest of wild bees orwassee-wassee, in the thatch, directly above my head, as I stood within my door; when I immediately took to my heels as he had done, and ordered them to be demolished by my slaves without delay. A tar mop was now brought, and the devastation just going to commence, when an old negro stepped up, and offered to receive any punishment I should decree if ever one of these bees should stingme in person. “Massera,” said he, “they would have stung you long ere now had you been a stranger to them; but they being your tenants, that is gradually allowed to build upon your premisses, they assuredly know both you and your’s, and will never hurt either you or them.” I instantly assented to the[237]proposition, and tying the old black man to a tree, ordered my boy Quaco to ascend the ladder quite naked, which he did, and wasnotstung; I then ventured to follow, and I declare upon my honour, that even after shaking the nest, which made its inhabitants buz about my ears, not a single bee attempted to sting me. I next released the old negro, and rewarded him with a gallon of rum and five shillings for the discovery. This swarm of bees I since kept unhurt, as my body-guards, and they have made many overseers take a desperate leap for my amusement, as I generally sent them up my ladder upon some frivolous message, when I wished to punish them for injustice and cruelty, which was not seldom.The above negro assured me, that on his master’s estate was an ancient tree, in which had been lodged ever since he could remember, a society ofbirds, and another ofbees, who lived in the greatest harmony together; but should any strange birds come to disturb or feed upon the bees, they were instantly repulsed by their feathered allies, and if strange bees dared to venture near the birds nests, the native swarm attacked the invaders, and stung them to death: that his master and family had so much respect for the above association, that the tree was considered as sacred, and was not to be touched by an axe until it should yield to all-destroying time.On the 22d, a patrole arrived from Rietwyk, in Pirica, who informed me, that a party of our troops were just returned to Java Creek from a cruize toVredenburg, at[238]the Marawina; and that, in conjunction with the rangers, they had during this campaign destroyed many fields of provisions belonging to the rebels: also, that for their faithful services, our sable allies had been complimented by the Society with new arms, and, for the first time, cloathed in green uniform jackets. I further learned that theambassadorsto theOwcaandSeramecanegroes were returned after a fruitless journey, as neither of these associations would lend the smallest assistance. In consequence of this refusal, Colonel Fourgeoud, being wearied himself, and having exhausted his troops in destroying most of the rebel settlements, at length determined to relinquish the whole expedition; which resolution he previously communicated to his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange at the Hague.On the 23d I received positive orders to prepare and be ready on the 15th of July, to break up, with all the troops under my command, leave the River Comewina, and row down to Paramaribo, where the transport ships were put in commission to convey us back to Holland. This order I instantly read before the front to all my men, who received it with unbounded joy and three cheers—but I alone sighed bitterly.—Oh my Joanna! Oh my boy! who were at this time both dangerously ill, the one with a fever, the other with convulsions, so that neither were expected to survive. Add to this, that I ran a nail quite through my foot—thus was completely miserable.During this scene of sickness and distress, thestrixor[239]night-owlof Guiana regularly paid us his nocturnal visits, even in the apartment where we lay, pouring out his melancholy hootings, until be was killed by one of my black attendants. This bird is here calledOoroocoocoo, from its note, to which this word has some affinity. It is about the size of a pigeon; the bill is yellow, and hooked like that of a sparrow-hawk; the eyes are also yellow; the tongue is cloven; the ears very visible; the legs strong, short, and armed with sharp claws: the general colour of this bird is a pale brown, except the breast and belly, which are white, intermixed with some spots of amber. The superstitious negroes generally believe that where the night-owl makes his appearance mortality must ensue: which prejudice is the more excusable, as this creature only frequents the apartments of the sick; but the real cause which attracts the animal, I apprehend to be thelightsthat upon these occasions are generally kept burning all night, or possibly the morbid, and putrid air, which excites its appetite for prey.An old Indian woman of Joanna’s acquaintance being now sent for to the Hope, I myself was soon cured by her skill and attention; but my little family continued so very unwell, that I thought it right to send them to Paramaribo before it was too late. And on the 10th of July I sent all my sheep and poultry to Fauconberg, one couple of fat ewes excepted, which I killed, and with which, by the addition of fish and venison, I entertained for two days following twenty-four of the most respectable inhabitants[240]in the river, while the white bread, fruit, and Spanish wines to help out the feast, I received as a present from my very worthy friend, Mr. James Gourland, at Berghoven.On the 13th I ordered down the troops fromClarenbeek, where an hospital had been asecondtime erected, and they this evening anchored off the Hope.On the 14th, an officer of the Honourable Society troops arrived to relieve me in the command of the river; and his men from that moment began to perform the duty.I now removed my flag from the Hope to the barges; and in the evening took my last farewel of Joanna’s relations on the Fauconberg estate; who, crouding round me, expressed their sorrow aloud for my departure, and with tears invoked the protection of Heaven for my safe and prosperous voyage.On the 15th we finally left the Hope, having marched my troops on board the barges at ten o’clock, A.M.; and at noon I fired my pistol as a signal to weigh anchor, when we immediately proceeded down the River Comewina for the roads of Paramaribo, to be embarked on board the transport ships for Europe.[241]1See Vol. II. page 69. plate L.↑2This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youthCampbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same.↑

CHAP. XXV.Singular Method of detecting a Theft—Rencounter between the Rangers and Rebels—Amazonian Action of a black Girl—Wonderful Sagacity in wild Bees—The Regiment receives a second Order to return to Europe.

Singular Method of detecting a Theft—Rencounter between the Rangers and Rebels—Amazonian Action of a black Girl—Wonderful Sagacity in wild Bees—The Regiment receives a second Order to return to Europe.

Singular Method of detecting a Theft—Rencounter between the Rangers and Rebels—Amazonian Action of a black Girl—Wonderful Sagacity in wild Bees—The Regiment receives a second Order to return to Europe.

On the 27th of March, 1776, adieu once more Paramaribo, my Joanna, and my boy!This morning, a little before I sat out, I saw a Mr.d’Halberghterribly bitten by a large iguana or lizard, at the very moment he was pressing me and my companions to stay a few days, to be present at the celebration of what he called hisSilver-feast, being the twenty-fifth anniversary of his marriage; but after condoling with him upon account of the accident, we embarked in a tent-barge, and arrived that evening at the Sporksgift estate in Matapica. Here we were entertained two days by Captain Mac Neal, with the greatest hospitality. I was however nearly suffocated by the steam of some green coffee, which was spread on the floor of the lodge where I had slung my hammock.Late on the evening of the 29th, we arrived at theGold-mineplantation, where we found a negro boy and girl, suspended by each others side from a high beam, by a rope fastened to theirthumbs, which were tied behind[217]their backs, this almost dislocated their shoulders, and must have occasioned the most agonizing tortures. Thus I cut the miserable victims down, without leave or ceremony, and swore that instant to demolish the tyrannical overseer who had inflicted this new mode of punishment, unless he promised immediately to forgive them; which he miraculously did in my presence.On the 30th, a little before we landed at the Hope, I discovered that all my sugar, with the greatest part of my rum, was gone; and detected the thief by the following laughable stratagem (though not my own invention)—I told the negroes, six in number, that a parrot’s feather was to grow within six minutes upon the tip of his nose who was most guilty; at the same time pronouncing a few incoherent words, and making two or three circles with my sabre, I shut myself within the tilt: here, peeping through the key-hole, and observing the rowers with great attention, without their perceiving me, I soon saw one of them, at every stroke of the oar, put up his hand, and feel the tip of his nose; upon which I instantly ran up to him, and cried, “I see the parrot’s feather! Thou art the thief, thou rascal!” To which the poor superstitious fellow instantly answered, “Yaw, me massera!” then kneeling to thesorcererfor mercy, and the others also intreating me to spare him, I pardoned the credulous thief and his accomplices, who by their candid confession obtained a piece of salt beef for their dinner, and a gourd full of good grog in the bargain.[218]Immediately on my arrival I took the command of the whole river, and now was once more the Prince of Comewina. I also built an elevatedpalace, in imitation ofPrince Bonny’s at Boosy-Cry, on twelve strong stakes; which aerial habitation I found very necessary, the whole post being almost under water by the inundations, and by neglect become a perfect mire-pool, while of my former cottage not a vestige was to be seen. Here I found the marines in perfect misery, being almost naked, and having sold their very shoes for a mouthful of fresh provisions. These grievances, however, by my labour and intercession with Colonel Fourgeoud, whose favourite I now became more and more, were speedily redressed, and the Hope, in a little time, appeared like a paradise, when compared with its former state.Shooting was now, as formerly, my favourite diversion; and on the 4th I brought home a kind ofplover, a couple ofred-breasts, and near a dozengrass-sparrows.The plover of Guiana is the size of a pigeon, its colour a dark-brown and white, with transverse bars. The wet savannahs are full of them, and they are delicate eating. The red-breast is a kind of large bull-finch, with the upper part of its body a deep chesnut; and all the rest a blood-colour: this is reckoned as good as an ortolan, and abounds on all the plantations. The grass-sparrow, which I think is by some called theanaca, is a beautiful little creature, like a paroquet; these birds are perfectly green, with a white bill and red eyes. They do[219]much damage amongst the rice and Indian corn, flying in prodigious flocks upon the plantations.At the Hope thetrochulus, or humming-birds, were so thick among the tamarind-trees, that they resembled a swarm of bees; a LieutenantSwildensdaily fetching down several of them, by blowing small peas or Indian corn through a hollow reed.Of all the tropical birds, this little creature is particularly worth attention, not only on account of its beauty, but for its diminutive size, being smaller than the first joint of a man’s finger; and when deprived of its feathers not larger than a blue-bottle fly. However, there are several species, and some twice as large. These birds vary much in their colour: in the shade they appear generally of a deep shining green; which, by the reflection of the sun, produces a splendid purple brown and azure. The head is crested with a small tuft of feathers, green, black, and gold; the tail and wings are a glossy black; the bill is not much thicker than a pin, it is long, black, and crooked at the end; the tongue is forked, and resembles a red silk thread; with this they sip the nectar or honey from the flowers, during which time they are stationary, exactly like bees, and this juice seems to be the only nourishment of these little creatures. They often make their nest on the leaf of a wild pine-apple, or dwarf aloe, which is constructed mostly of cotton, and not larger than the husk of a walnut; their eggs are about the size of peas, and only two in number. Madam Merian says, that the humming-bird[220]sits onfoureggs; which, for my part, I never saw or heard of during my residence in Guiana.In the annexed plate I have endeavoured to represent them and their little habitation in natural size; though I found it impossible to make the drawing more perfect, their motion upon the wing being so very quick, that the feathers are hardly perceptible; and this motion occasions that humming noise, from which this delicate little creature derives its name.Here were also immense flocks of monkies: I have seen above two hundred of them in a field of sugar-canes, where they make great devastation. These wary animals place sentinels all round the field to give the alarm; and I myself have been a witness with what sagacity and fidelity they perform this duty, when the whole company hop into the forest, each with his plunder in his paw.Swimming was another of my favourite amusements, which contributed to make me more healthy, and stronger than most of my companions; as it is beautifully expressed by the author of theSeasons:—“This is the purest exercise of health,The kind refresher of the summer heats:————Hence the limbsKnit into force, and the same Roman armThat rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth,First learn’d when tender to subdue the wave.”The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.Barlow sculpt.The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.On the 14th I shot an alligator; but returning from this excursion in a boat, a packet of letters from Colonel[221]Fourgeoud being reached me, unfortunately fell overboard into the water, and sank immediately; some officers, however, the next day coming to the Hope, informed me of the principal contents,viz.that Colonel Fourgeoud, being determined once more to scour the woods, had ordered me to send up all my spare men and provisions, as also the Society troops who were now at Oranjebo, the former to Magdenberg, and the latter to the river Pirica; which I performed, retaining only twelve crippled soldiers at the Hope, and as many at Clarenbeek, without either surgeon or medicines; nevertheless, with this small number, I made daily patroles by land and water—they also informed me of the death of ensignVan Halm, and that another ship with sick was ordered shortly to set sail for Holland.Colonel Fourgeoud, though he himself remained still at Paramaribo, yet continued attentively to command. Thus, on the 23d, he ordered a detachment of one hundred men to reconnoitre from Magdenberg to the Wana Creek and Marawina river; but they returned without any new discoveries.As I was now likely to be continued at the Hope for some time, I sent for my sheep and poultry, from the estate where I had left them, presenting Mr.Gourlywith a ram and a ewe, as being of a breed superior to any in the colony; and I found with joy that my flocks had considerably encreased in numbers.On the 26th one of my men brought me a snake,[222]which he had just killed; it was about four feet long, and not thicker than the barrel of a musket; when perceiving a knob near its middle, larger than my fist, I had the curiosity to cut it open, and an enormous frog made its appearance, perfectly alive and entire, a small spot on the back of its head and neck excepted, which was blue and slimy, as if beginning to putrify. For the sake of experiment, I fastened him with a string to his foot upon a grass-plat near the river for three days; when finding the poor animal hearty and well, I gave him his liberty, with a caution to keep a better look-out for the future.On the 28th I paid a visit toThomas Palmer, Esq. late King’s counsellor at Massachusett’s Bay, upon his estate calledFairfield. Here both the master and his slaves were perfectly happy and contented, chiefly owing to Mr. Palmer’s just and equitable administration to all around him; and such were the consequences of his wise government, that few plantations in the West Indies could boast of greater prosperity, either in point of produce or population; while the courtesy and hospitality of the gentleman-like proprietor to strangers, completed his happy character, which shone conspicuously throughout the colony.Upon my return to the Hope I received a letter from the commander in chief, informing me that Mr. Vinsack with his rangers had killed several rebels, and taken eleven prisoners; but that another party of the rangers had been surprized by the enemy, and several of them shot dead while asleep in their hammocks.[223]During these skirmishes, an instance of presence of mind was exhibited by a rebel negro, I think but seldom equalled:—A ranger having levelled his piece was just going to fire at him, when the man called out, holding up his hand, “What, Sir, do you mean to kill one of your own party?” Which the ranger believing him to be, replied, “God forbid!” and dropping the muzzle of his piece, instantly received a ball through the body from his adversary, which killed him; and who, having thus saved himself, disappeared like a flash of lightning. One of the captive negroes related, that the evening before they were taken, a rebel, who had formerly deserted from Fauconberg was cut to pieces with sabres, by Bonny’s command, as two others had been before we took Gado-Saby.On the 6th of May it blew a violent hurricane, accompanied with thunder and lightning, so that many trees were torn up by the roots, and most of the houses on the Hope blown down or unroofed; my aerial palace, however, by good fortune, withstood this gale; and upon the 8th, Joanna, with her boy, arriving at this place, I promised myself a scene of happiness equal to that I experienced in 1774; especially as my family, my sheep, and my poultry, were now doubled; besides, I had at this time a beautiful garden, and if I could not with propriety be called a planter, I might at least claim, with some degree of justice, the name of a little farmer.On the 9th we all dined with Mr.de Graaff, at his beautiful[224]plantationKnoppemombo, in Cassawina Creek, where this worthy man had foretold, before the birth of my boy, that both he and his mother should one day be happy and free. Here I saw the following roots and plants, which I have not yet observed.—Thetayers, which are the hearts of a farinaceous green shrub, not above two or three feet high, with remarkable large leaves, in the form of a heart, the trunk something resembling that of a banana-tree. This plant being cut down, and with a knife divested of its outer tegument, has the appearance and consistency of a yam or potatoe, but is better eating, having a much finer grain. The tayers are of different kinds; the smallest is preferred, and made use of in the same manner as the above roots. I have here also found a kind of real potatoe, and in large quantities, but they are only used by the negroes, being inferior to the hog-potatoes in Great Britain.Thetobacco plantgrows here with large downy leaves, full of fibres; it flowers almost continually, and will last for twelve or fourteen years, but is so inferior to the Virginia tobacco, that it is only used by the slaves. This plant derived its name from the islandTobago, where it was first discovered, in 1560.They have here also a kind of wildtea, which is accounted very wholesome, but in my opinion is no better than English ground-ivy. I found plenty oftomatè, which being produced in many British gardens, I will not attempt to describe; but only observe[225]that the Jews are particularly fond of it, and stew it with butchers meat instead of onions.Thephysic-nuttree is likewise to be met with here; this is a knotty shrub, that grows about ten or twelve feet in height, and very slender; the nut that it produces has a kernel like an almond, and tastes as well, provided it be deprived of a thin white skin that adheres to it, otherwise a violent vomiting and purging is the immediate consequence of swallowing it. They also shewed me several kinds of peas and beans, and other fruits growing in pods; such as thecassia, a shining hard yellow seed inclosed in a woody shell near sixteen inches long, and very small, with a black soft pulp as sweet as honey: this is considered as a very safe laxative: the cassia grows on a tree very common in Guiana, and which is calledsoete boontiesandcotiaan. Another kind of pod, namedseve-yaars boontie, is so called, because it is said to be in blossom seven years before it produces. The shrub calledsnakee weeree-weereealso grows here; they told me it was a sovereign remedy for fevers, and I take it to be the same as theserpentaria Virginiana, or Virginian snake-root. Lastly, I saw a vegetable or flower here calledseven-boom, which is too frequently used by the young negro girls to promote abortion, as are also the green pine-apples, which are said to have the same effect.Thus having spent not only an agreeable but an instructive day at Knoppemombo, we took leave of our very good friend in the evening, and rowed contentedly[226]back to the Hope, our boat being nearly loaded with presents of every kind, amongst which were some fine cocoa-nuts, that one of his slaves, after walking, I may say more properly than climbing1, up the tree, had brought down in my presence, and after a fierce engagement with a black serpent upon the very top of it, which by the help of his knife he vanquished, and to our admiration dropped it down dead at our feet.The slaves of the Hope and Fauconberg also testified their respect for Joanna and her boy, by bringing in presents of fowls, fruit, eggs, venison, and fish; and Mr. Palmer handsomely presented us with a large quantity of Indian corn to feed our poultry. Thus every thing seemed to contribute to our felicity, which was however considerably allayed by the disagreeable news we received on the 18th, informing me of the death of my dear friend, Mr. Walter Kennedy, shortly after his arrival in Holland2: it was now also confirmed that the Dutch had refused the Scots Brigade to his Britannic Majesty; which greatly surprized me, as I considered it as a claim not only from affinity, but also by treaty.To amuse my mind from these unpleasing subjects, I now paid a short visit to my French acquaintanceMonsieur[227]Cachelieu, at his plantation Egmond. Here, amongst other company, I met with an Italian, a planter called D’O—s, who had but one arm; with which, however, he took up a knife at table, and without the smallest provocation, as I sat next him, made a back thrust at me, to the astonishment of all who were present. Having fortunately parried the blow by beating up his elbow, which occasioned the point of his knife to pass over my shoulder, I started up, and was going to put him instantly to death; but this being prevented, I offered to fight him with one hand tied behind me, and with any instrument he chose, fist, bludgeon, sword, pistol, or even knife; this the cowardly assassin having refused, was kicked out of company, and sent home to his plantation calledHazard.So violent was this unhappy man’s disposition, that some little time before, he ordered a poor negro woman, who was advanced eight months in her pregnancy, to be flogged, until her intestines appeared, and that only for breaking a tumbler. One of his male slaves, trying to evade his severity, was shot dead on the spot; and there was not a slave belonging to his estate but was cut by the lash of his whip from the neck to the heel.Colonel Fourgeoud now sending a proper supply of men, with a surgeon and medicines, the Hope wore a more pleasing aspect, and health and content began to be visible in every countenance. Amongst other things, I encouraged the men to catch fish, which were here in abundance, and the negroes taught them how to make[228]the proper snares, such as thespring-hook, andmansoaor spring-basket. I have given a representation of both these in the plate annexed, where the spring-hook is expressed by the letterA, being a long elastic pole, like a strong fishing-rod, stuck in the ground under water, at the other end of which is fixed a double line, the shortest having fastened to it a small stick, ten inches long, and the other the same, but a little lower; while at the extremity ofthisline is hooked a small fish by the fins, in such a manner as to swim to and fro, and be a bait for the larger species. Two long sticks being next placed in the ground so as to appear above water, a third stick much shorter, forms them like a gallows; above this gallows is bent and fixed the elastic pole, by means of the double line and its beams; but in so very slight a manner, that upon the least touch the whole apparatus gives way, and the large pole erects itself, when the fish that occasioned the spring, by taking the bait, is suspended to the hook in the air, asexhibitedby the figureB.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Basket.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Themansoaor spring-basket is much upon the same construction, and may be seen by referring to letterC, where it is represented open and under water, with the bait swimming in it. This basket is made of warimbo reeds, in the form of a sugar-loaf (the above apparatus being fixed to the middle) in the small end of which the elastic pole is fastened, while at the other end is an open trap-door, the whole being supported in an erect position[229]by a forked stick. No sooner has a large fish entered and taken the bait, than this pole, as in the former, erects itself with a spring, and the snap or trap-door shuts on the invader, and he is taken, as may be seen by letterD. This differs from the former, no hook of any kind being necessary. An idea of the ingenuity of the negroes may be formed from these constructions, as this mode of catching their fish requires no attendance, for the snaps being set at night, the fish is found in the morning, which is generally the newmara or barracota already described.Among the variety of fish caught here was thesiliba, a small oval fish, marked not unlike a pine-apple; thesokay, which is a large fish, and very good eating; thetorro-torro, and another calledtarpoen; the first three feet in length; the other, which is white, about two feet six inches.On the 26th, I saw a most surprising display of activity, strength, and courage by a young female negro, calledClardina, at the Hope; where a wild stag having strayed from the flock, at the moment it came bounding over the foot-path she seized it in full speed by the hinder leg, but not being able to stop it, she suffered herself to be dragged to a considerable distance, nor until she was terribly wounded would she let go her hold.The Hope was now truly a charming habitation, being perfectly dry even in spring-tides, and washed by pleasing canals that let in the fresh-water every tide; while the hedges surrounding the fields and gardens were[230]neatly cut, and produced fruit and vegetables of many species for our use. The houses and bridges were also all repaired, while the strictest adherence to cleanliness was recommended and enforced among the men: by these means not one sick person out of fifty was now to be found, where sloth, stench, and disease had so lately spread their destructive influence, and to which the land and sea-scurvy had given the most fatal assistance. Of the above scorbutic complaints, the former covers the body over with blotches, and the latter chiefly affects the teeth and gums.I now enjoyed the greatest flow of health and spirits, while most of my old ship-mates were either dead or returned to Europe; not a single officer at this time being in rank above me, except only such as had been formerly inured to the West India climate.But to return to my garden—this at present exhibited carrots, cabbages, onions, cucumbers, lettuces, radishes, pepper, cresses, &c. all thriving as well as in Europe; besides sorrel of two kinds, the common and the red, this last grows upon a shrub, and is excellent for making jam or marmalade. The jessamine also was found here of different species, that growing on a small tree being most admired: it is of a pale but beautiful red colour, and a most agreeable smell; the leaves are thick, shining, and filled with a milky juice. A species of sensitive shrub they callshame-shame, grew also here, as did the sleeping plant, so called from its leaves, which are set in pairs,[231]clapping close together from sun-set to sun-rise, and appearing as if the two were but one; but as soon as the sun is up they again open, and resume their double form. The above-mentioned shrubs were all dispersed through my hedges, besides pomegranates and Indian roses, which blow every day; while a few elegant red-lilies, which also grow wild in the savannas, adorned the banks of my canals, the leaves of which flower have a very bright and beautiful green polish.Thus situated, we were visited, amongst others, by a Madamede Z—e, in company with her brother, and a Mr.Schadts, who were lately arrived from Holland; this lady was supposed the finest woman that even Europe produced, as well as the most accomplished. She spoke several languages, and was a perfect mistress of music and painting; she danced elegantly, and rode vastly well on horseback; she even excelled in shooting and fencing, &c. In order to make her perfect mistress of all the fashionable exercises, I offered her my assistance in teaching her to swim, which, however, with a smile, she thought proper to refuse.My soldiers, and even negroes, seemed now completely happy, amongst whom the most perfect harmony subsisted; while I frequently indulged them with a merry evening, and a grey-beard of rum.One night, in the midst of this festivity, I secretly ordered the sentinel to fire his piece, and cause a false alarm, as if the enemy were on the estate; when I had[232]the satisfaction to see them seize their arms, and rush out with the utmost order and intrepidity. This experiment I was the rather inclined to put in practice, as it was reported that the rebels intended soon to pay a visit to the River Comewina. But we soon experienced that no scene of perfect felicity can be lasting, for the dry season now suddenly setting-in, disease and mortality once more began to rage among us, ten or twelve men dying daily at the Java Creek and Magdenburg, while those under my command at the Hope diminished hourly.On the 3d, the surgeon made me the following report, “That my Ensign, Mr.Decabanes, had his anchor-a-peek, and would certainly set sail for the other world with the ebb-tide;” which was really the case, for he died that very evening. This grieved me the more, as he had obtained his commission through my interest, and bore an excellent character.On the 4th of June, the spring-flood broke down my dams while we were drinking the King’s health, and laid the whole post under water, which created vast confusion; and in this distress the overseerBlendermanrefused to lend me any assistance, which occasioned so violent a quarrel, that he was glad to take to his heels, and make his escape from the plantation. I shall never have done mentioning the insolence of these savage brutes, who mostly are the refuse of the earth, brought up in Germany, or elsewhere, under the cane of a corporal.[233]“Well,” said one of these miscreants ironically to an oldfreenegro, “don’t you believe that the monkies are a race of damn’d Christians, who have been thus transformed for shewing so much lenity to such as you?”—“No, sir,” replied the black man, “we do not think that the monkies are damn’d Christians; but I, and all of us, believe that many who call themselves Christians are a pack of damn’d monkies.”—Which pointed repartee afforded me infinite satisfaction.Of the administrators I shall say nothing, nor of the appraisers of estates; having, I believe, already mentioned that the first got tenper cent.of all the produce, and many of the latter enrich the purchasers and themselves by selling under the value such property as is entrusted to their care.On the 7th, Mr.Moryn, administrator of the Hope, being in a piece of newly-cultivated ground on the opposite shore, I rowed over to obtain satisfaction of the impertinent Blenderman, who was along with him; but this fellow’s cowardice being equal to his insolence and barbarity, he made every concession, and promised likewise to repair my dams, rather than run the risque of broken bones—thus a reconciliation was established.Walking through these new fields, where a neat house was already built, I saw some beautiful birds, amongst which was thewood-pecker. I ought indeed to have described this bird before, and another, the name unknown to me, having had an opportunity of doing it when I was at Magdenburg, but I then took only drawings of them.[234]The wood-pecker is about the size of a thrush, and of an elegant cinnamon-colour, speckled with dark brown and yellow; near the rump it is entirely yellow; the head is crested with a fine crown of small feathers, of the same colour as the body: the tail is long and black; the bill is straight, and of a sea-green colour, as are the legs and iris of the eyes, under which on each side are two spots of beautiful crimson.The anonymous bird, which, however, the negroes calledwoodo-louso-fowlo, from its feeding on wood-lice, is larger than the former, and uncommonly brilliant in its plumage; the head and upper part of its body being of a rich grass green; the breast and belly crimson, divided by an ash-coloured bar. The tail is long, and of a dark blue, as are the prime feathers in the wings, which are also divided from the green by another ash-coloured bar; the bill is yellow and hooked, being surrounded by a number of small black feathers, as are the eyes, the iris of which is of a blood colour. (Both these birds may be seen in the annexed plate.)—As I have already observed, however rich and beautiful the plumage may be which decorates the groves of Surinam, the melodious song there is but seldom heard. They had also here the tamegalinas, or Guinea-hens, calledtokay, which being so well known in England, require no particular description.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.Among the plants which I saw here was theAmerican aloe, above half a foot in thickness, and twenty feet high; it is an ever-green, pithy within and without, covered[235]with sharp-pointed follicles, growing less as they approach the summit. This tree has numerous thick leaves diverging at its base, like the pine-apple plant, which are very long, broad pointed, and dentulated with strong prickles. On the top grows a cluster of yellow flowers, whose pedicles contain the seed of future aloes, and which never fail to come to perfection in the space of two months.In the skirts of the surrounding woods I saw also thevanillas, orbanilla, which is a shrub that climbs up along the trunks of other trees, adhering to thebarklike nebees or ivy, by the help of its tendrils: the leaves are prodigiously thick, and dark green, the fruit consisting of a triangular pod six or eight inches long, and filled with small polished seeds. These pods, being dried a fortnight in the sun, become brown, and have a fat rich aromatic taste, and most agreeable flavour; on which account they are used to scent the chocolate. There are different kinds ofvanilla, but that is most esteemed which has its pods the most long and most slender. The negroes shewed me here also a small sweetish seed, which they calledbongora.As I returned to the Hope, I met Cojo, Joanna’s uncle, who had shot one of thehowling baboons, which he brought to the Hope to shew it me. These animals are the size of a small bull-dog, and the colour a reddish-brown, with long hair; they have also a beard, and are upon the whole extremely ugly; but what chiefly distinguishes them from other monkies is their abominable[236]howl, which they perform in chorus whole groupes together, and so loud, that it may be heard above a mile; these discordant concerts, the negroes told me, they generally repeat, both night and day, at the time of high water, which, it is supposed, the baboons know by instinct.—When speaking of instinct in animals, I cannot omit relating the following singular fact; after which I shall return to the historical part of my narrative.On the 16th I was visited by a neighbouring gentleman, whom I conducted up my ladder; but he had no sooner entered my aerial dwelling, than he leapt down from the top to the ground, roaring like a madman with agony and pain, after which he instantly plunged his head into the river; but looking up, I soon discovered the cause of his distress to be an enormous nest of wild bees orwassee-wassee, in the thatch, directly above my head, as I stood within my door; when I immediately took to my heels as he had done, and ordered them to be demolished by my slaves without delay. A tar mop was now brought, and the devastation just going to commence, when an old negro stepped up, and offered to receive any punishment I should decree if ever one of these bees should stingme in person. “Massera,” said he, “they would have stung you long ere now had you been a stranger to them; but they being your tenants, that is gradually allowed to build upon your premisses, they assuredly know both you and your’s, and will never hurt either you or them.” I instantly assented to the[237]proposition, and tying the old black man to a tree, ordered my boy Quaco to ascend the ladder quite naked, which he did, and wasnotstung; I then ventured to follow, and I declare upon my honour, that even after shaking the nest, which made its inhabitants buz about my ears, not a single bee attempted to sting me. I next released the old negro, and rewarded him with a gallon of rum and five shillings for the discovery. This swarm of bees I since kept unhurt, as my body-guards, and they have made many overseers take a desperate leap for my amusement, as I generally sent them up my ladder upon some frivolous message, when I wished to punish them for injustice and cruelty, which was not seldom.The above negro assured me, that on his master’s estate was an ancient tree, in which had been lodged ever since he could remember, a society ofbirds, and another ofbees, who lived in the greatest harmony together; but should any strange birds come to disturb or feed upon the bees, they were instantly repulsed by their feathered allies, and if strange bees dared to venture near the birds nests, the native swarm attacked the invaders, and stung them to death: that his master and family had so much respect for the above association, that the tree was considered as sacred, and was not to be touched by an axe until it should yield to all-destroying time.On the 22d, a patrole arrived from Rietwyk, in Pirica, who informed me, that a party of our troops were just returned to Java Creek from a cruize toVredenburg, at[238]the Marawina; and that, in conjunction with the rangers, they had during this campaign destroyed many fields of provisions belonging to the rebels: also, that for their faithful services, our sable allies had been complimented by the Society with new arms, and, for the first time, cloathed in green uniform jackets. I further learned that theambassadorsto theOwcaandSeramecanegroes were returned after a fruitless journey, as neither of these associations would lend the smallest assistance. In consequence of this refusal, Colonel Fourgeoud, being wearied himself, and having exhausted his troops in destroying most of the rebel settlements, at length determined to relinquish the whole expedition; which resolution he previously communicated to his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange at the Hague.On the 23d I received positive orders to prepare and be ready on the 15th of July, to break up, with all the troops under my command, leave the River Comewina, and row down to Paramaribo, where the transport ships were put in commission to convey us back to Holland. This order I instantly read before the front to all my men, who received it with unbounded joy and three cheers—but I alone sighed bitterly.—Oh my Joanna! Oh my boy! who were at this time both dangerously ill, the one with a fever, the other with convulsions, so that neither were expected to survive. Add to this, that I ran a nail quite through my foot—thus was completely miserable.During this scene of sickness and distress, thestrixor[239]night-owlof Guiana regularly paid us his nocturnal visits, even in the apartment where we lay, pouring out his melancholy hootings, until be was killed by one of my black attendants. This bird is here calledOoroocoocoo, from its note, to which this word has some affinity. It is about the size of a pigeon; the bill is yellow, and hooked like that of a sparrow-hawk; the eyes are also yellow; the tongue is cloven; the ears very visible; the legs strong, short, and armed with sharp claws: the general colour of this bird is a pale brown, except the breast and belly, which are white, intermixed with some spots of amber. The superstitious negroes generally believe that where the night-owl makes his appearance mortality must ensue: which prejudice is the more excusable, as this creature only frequents the apartments of the sick; but the real cause which attracts the animal, I apprehend to be thelightsthat upon these occasions are generally kept burning all night, or possibly the morbid, and putrid air, which excites its appetite for prey.An old Indian woman of Joanna’s acquaintance being now sent for to the Hope, I myself was soon cured by her skill and attention; but my little family continued so very unwell, that I thought it right to send them to Paramaribo before it was too late. And on the 10th of July I sent all my sheep and poultry to Fauconberg, one couple of fat ewes excepted, which I killed, and with which, by the addition of fish and venison, I entertained for two days following twenty-four of the most respectable inhabitants[240]in the river, while the white bread, fruit, and Spanish wines to help out the feast, I received as a present from my very worthy friend, Mr. James Gourland, at Berghoven.On the 13th I ordered down the troops fromClarenbeek, where an hospital had been asecondtime erected, and they this evening anchored off the Hope.On the 14th, an officer of the Honourable Society troops arrived to relieve me in the command of the river; and his men from that moment began to perform the duty.I now removed my flag from the Hope to the barges; and in the evening took my last farewel of Joanna’s relations on the Fauconberg estate; who, crouding round me, expressed their sorrow aloud for my departure, and with tears invoked the protection of Heaven for my safe and prosperous voyage.On the 15th we finally left the Hope, having marched my troops on board the barges at ten o’clock, A.M.; and at noon I fired my pistol as a signal to weigh anchor, when we immediately proceeded down the River Comewina for the roads of Paramaribo, to be embarked on board the transport ships for Europe.[241]

On the 27th of March, 1776, adieu once more Paramaribo, my Joanna, and my boy!

This morning, a little before I sat out, I saw a Mr.d’Halberghterribly bitten by a large iguana or lizard, at the very moment he was pressing me and my companions to stay a few days, to be present at the celebration of what he called hisSilver-feast, being the twenty-fifth anniversary of his marriage; but after condoling with him upon account of the accident, we embarked in a tent-barge, and arrived that evening at the Sporksgift estate in Matapica. Here we were entertained two days by Captain Mac Neal, with the greatest hospitality. I was however nearly suffocated by the steam of some green coffee, which was spread on the floor of the lodge where I had slung my hammock.

Late on the evening of the 29th, we arrived at theGold-mineplantation, where we found a negro boy and girl, suspended by each others side from a high beam, by a rope fastened to theirthumbs, which were tied behind[217]their backs, this almost dislocated their shoulders, and must have occasioned the most agonizing tortures. Thus I cut the miserable victims down, without leave or ceremony, and swore that instant to demolish the tyrannical overseer who had inflicted this new mode of punishment, unless he promised immediately to forgive them; which he miraculously did in my presence.

On the 30th, a little before we landed at the Hope, I discovered that all my sugar, with the greatest part of my rum, was gone; and detected the thief by the following laughable stratagem (though not my own invention)—I told the negroes, six in number, that a parrot’s feather was to grow within six minutes upon the tip of his nose who was most guilty; at the same time pronouncing a few incoherent words, and making two or three circles with my sabre, I shut myself within the tilt: here, peeping through the key-hole, and observing the rowers with great attention, without their perceiving me, I soon saw one of them, at every stroke of the oar, put up his hand, and feel the tip of his nose; upon which I instantly ran up to him, and cried, “I see the parrot’s feather! Thou art the thief, thou rascal!” To which the poor superstitious fellow instantly answered, “Yaw, me massera!” then kneeling to thesorcererfor mercy, and the others also intreating me to spare him, I pardoned the credulous thief and his accomplices, who by their candid confession obtained a piece of salt beef for their dinner, and a gourd full of good grog in the bargain.[218]

Immediately on my arrival I took the command of the whole river, and now was once more the Prince of Comewina. I also built an elevatedpalace, in imitation ofPrince Bonny’s at Boosy-Cry, on twelve strong stakes; which aerial habitation I found very necessary, the whole post being almost under water by the inundations, and by neglect become a perfect mire-pool, while of my former cottage not a vestige was to be seen. Here I found the marines in perfect misery, being almost naked, and having sold their very shoes for a mouthful of fresh provisions. These grievances, however, by my labour and intercession with Colonel Fourgeoud, whose favourite I now became more and more, were speedily redressed, and the Hope, in a little time, appeared like a paradise, when compared with its former state.

Shooting was now, as formerly, my favourite diversion; and on the 4th I brought home a kind ofplover, a couple ofred-breasts, and near a dozengrass-sparrows.

The plover of Guiana is the size of a pigeon, its colour a dark-brown and white, with transverse bars. The wet savannahs are full of them, and they are delicate eating. The red-breast is a kind of large bull-finch, with the upper part of its body a deep chesnut; and all the rest a blood-colour: this is reckoned as good as an ortolan, and abounds on all the plantations. The grass-sparrow, which I think is by some called theanaca, is a beautiful little creature, like a paroquet; these birds are perfectly green, with a white bill and red eyes. They do[219]much damage amongst the rice and Indian corn, flying in prodigious flocks upon the plantations.

At the Hope thetrochulus, or humming-birds, were so thick among the tamarind-trees, that they resembled a swarm of bees; a LieutenantSwildensdaily fetching down several of them, by blowing small peas or Indian corn through a hollow reed.

Of all the tropical birds, this little creature is particularly worth attention, not only on account of its beauty, but for its diminutive size, being smaller than the first joint of a man’s finger; and when deprived of its feathers not larger than a blue-bottle fly. However, there are several species, and some twice as large. These birds vary much in their colour: in the shade they appear generally of a deep shining green; which, by the reflection of the sun, produces a splendid purple brown and azure. The head is crested with a small tuft of feathers, green, black, and gold; the tail and wings are a glossy black; the bill is not much thicker than a pin, it is long, black, and crooked at the end; the tongue is forked, and resembles a red silk thread; with this they sip the nectar or honey from the flowers, during which time they are stationary, exactly like bees, and this juice seems to be the only nourishment of these little creatures. They often make their nest on the leaf of a wild pine-apple, or dwarf aloe, which is constructed mostly of cotton, and not larger than the husk of a walnut; their eggs are about the size of peas, and only two in number. Madam Merian says, that the humming-bird[220]sits onfoureggs; which, for my part, I never saw or heard of during my residence in Guiana.

In the annexed plate I have endeavoured to represent them and their little habitation in natural size; though I found it impossible to make the drawing more perfect, their motion upon the wing being so very quick, that the feathers are hardly perceptible; and this motion occasions that humming noise, from which this delicate little creature derives its name.

Here were also immense flocks of monkies: I have seen above two hundred of them in a field of sugar-canes, where they make great devastation. These wary animals place sentinels all round the field to give the alarm; and I myself have been a witness with what sagacity and fidelity they perform this duty, when the whole company hop into the forest, each with his plunder in his paw.

Swimming was another of my favourite amusements, which contributed to make me more healthy, and stronger than most of my companions; as it is beautifully expressed by the author of theSeasons:—

“This is the purest exercise of health,The kind refresher of the summer heats:————Hence the limbsKnit into force, and the same Roman armThat rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth,First learn’d when tender to subdue the wave.”

“This is the purest exercise of health,

The kind refresher of the summer heats:

————Hence the limbs

Knit into force, and the same Roman arm

That rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth,

First learn’d when tender to subdue the wave.”

The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.Barlow sculpt.The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

Barlow sculpt.

The Humming Bird, with its nest &c.

London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

On the 14th I shot an alligator; but returning from this excursion in a boat, a packet of letters from Colonel[221]Fourgeoud being reached me, unfortunately fell overboard into the water, and sank immediately; some officers, however, the next day coming to the Hope, informed me of the principal contents,viz.that Colonel Fourgeoud, being determined once more to scour the woods, had ordered me to send up all my spare men and provisions, as also the Society troops who were now at Oranjebo, the former to Magdenberg, and the latter to the river Pirica; which I performed, retaining only twelve crippled soldiers at the Hope, and as many at Clarenbeek, without either surgeon or medicines; nevertheless, with this small number, I made daily patroles by land and water—they also informed me of the death of ensignVan Halm, and that another ship with sick was ordered shortly to set sail for Holland.

Colonel Fourgeoud, though he himself remained still at Paramaribo, yet continued attentively to command. Thus, on the 23d, he ordered a detachment of one hundred men to reconnoitre from Magdenberg to the Wana Creek and Marawina river; but they returned without any new discoveries.

As I was now likely to be continued at the Hope for some time, I sent for my sheep and poultry, from the estate where I had left them, presenting Mr.Gourlywith a ram and a ewe, as being of a breed superior to any in the colony; and I found with joy that my flocks had considerably encreased in numbers.

On the 26th one of my men brought me a snake,[222]which he had just killed; it was about four feet long, and not thicker than the barrel of a musket; when perceiving a knob near its middle, larger than my fist, I had the curiosity to cut it open, and an enormous frog made its appearance, perfectly alive and entire, a small spot on the back of its head and neck excepted, which was blue and slimy, as if beginning to putrify. For the sake of experiment, I fastened him with a string to his foot upon a grass-plat near the river for three days; when finding the poor animal hearty and well, I gave him his liberty, with a caution to keep a better look-out for the future.

On the 28th I paid a visit toThomas Palmer, Esq. late King’s counsellor at Massachusett’s Bay, upon his estate calledFairfield. Here both the master and his slaves were perfectly happy and contented, chiefly owing to Mr. Palmer’s just and equitable administration to all around him; and such were the consequences of his wise government, that few plantations in the West Indies could boast of greater prosperity, either in point of produce or population; while the courtesy and hospitality of the gentleman-like proprietor to strangers, completed his happy character, which shone conspicuously throughout the colony.

Upon my return to the Hope I received a letter from the commander in chief, informing me that Mr. Vinsack with his rangers had killed several rebels, and taken eleven prisoners; but that another party of the rangers had been surprized by the enemy, and several of them shot dead while asleep in their hammocks.[223]

During these skirmishes, an instance of presence of mind was exhibited by a rebel negro, I think but seldom equalled:—A ranger having levelled his piece was just going to fire at him, when the man called out, holding up his hand, “What, Sir, do you mean to kill one of your own party?” Which the ranger believing him to be, replied, “God forbid!” and dropping the muzzle of his piece, instantly received a ball through the body from his adversary, which killed him; and who, having thus saved himself, disappeared like a flash of lightning. One of the captive negroes related, that the evening before they were taken, a rebel, who had formerly deserted from Fauconberg was cut to pieces with sabres, by Bonny’s command, as two others had been before we took Gado-Saby.

On the 6th of May it blew a violent hurricane, accompanied with thunder and lightning, so that many trees were torn up by the roots, and most of the houses on the Hope blown down or unroofed; my aerial palace, however, by good fortune, withstood this gale; and upon the 8th, Joanna, with her boy, arriving at this place, I promised myself a scene of happiness equal to that I experienced in 1774; especially as my family, my sheep, and my poultry, were now doubled; besides, I had at this time a beautiful garden, and if I could not with propriety be called a planter, I might at least claim, with some degree of justice, the name of a little farmer.

On the 9th we all dined with Mr.de Graaff, at his beautiful[224]plantationKnoppemombo, in Cassawina Creek, where this worthy man had foretold, before the birth of my boy, that both he and his mother should one day be happy and free. Here I saw the following roots and plants, which I have not yet observed.—Thetayers, which are the hearts of a farinaceous green shrub, not above two or three feet high, with remarkable large leaves, in the form of a heart, the trunk something resembling that of a banana-tree. This plant being cut down, and with a knife divested of its outer tegument, has the appearance and consistency of a yam or potatoe, but is better eating, having a much finer grain. The tayers are of different kinds; the smallest is preferred, and made use of in the same manner as the above roots. I have here also found a kind of real potatoe, and in large quantities, but they are only used by the negroes, being inferior to the hog-potatoes in Great Britain.

Thetobacco plantgrows here with large downy leaves, full of fibres; it flowers almost continually, and will last for twelve or fourteen years, but is so inferior to the Virginia tobacco, that it is only used by the slaves. This plant derived its name from the islandTobago, where it was first discovered, in 1560.

They have here also a kind of wildtea, which is accounted very wholesome, but in my opinion is no better than English ground-ivy. I found plenty oftomatè, which being produced in many British gardens, I will not attempt to describe; but only observe[225]that the Jews are particularly fond of it, and stew it with butchers meat instead of onions.

Thephysic-nuttree is likewise to be met with here; this is a knotty shrub, that grows about ten or twelve feet in height, and very slender; the nut that it produces has a kernel like an almond, and tastes as well, provided it be deprived of a thin white skin that adheres to it, otherwise a violent vomiting and purging is the immediate consequence of swallowing it. They also shewed me several kinds of peas and beans, and other fruits growing in pods; such as thecassia, a shining hard yellow seed inclosed in a woody shell near sixteen inches long, and very small, with a black soft pulp as sweet as honey: this is considered as a very safe laxative: the cassia grows on a tree very common in Guiana, and which is calledsoete boontiesandcotiaan. Another kind of pod, namedseve-yaars boontie, is so called, because it is said to be in blossom seven years before it produces. The shrub calledsnakee weeree-weereealso grows here; they told me it was a sovereign remedy for fevers, and I take it to be the same as theserpentaria Virginiana, or Virginian snake-root. Lastly, I saw a vegetable or flower here calledseven-boom, which is too frequently used by the young negro girls to promote abortion, as are also the green pine-apples, which are said to have the same effect.

Thus having spent not only an agreeable but an instructive day at Knoppemombo, we took leave of our very good friend in the evening, and rowed contentedly[226]back to the Hope, our boat being nearly loaded with presents of every kind, amongst which were some fine cocoa-nuts, that one of his slaves, after walking, I may say more properly than climbing1, up the tree, had brought down in my presence, and after a fierce engagement with a black serpent upon the very top of it, which by the help of his knife he vanquished, and to our admiration dropped it down dead at our feet.

The slaves of the Hope and Fauconberg also testified their respect for Joanna and her boy, by bringing in presents of fowls, fruit, eggs, venison, and fish; and Mr. Palmer handsomely presented us with a large quantity of Indian corn to feed our poultry. Thus every thing seemed to contribute to our felicity, which was however considerably allayed by the disagreeable news we received on the 18th, informing me of the death of my dear friend, Mr. Walter Kennedy, shortly after his arrival in Holland2: it was now also confirmed that the Dutch had refused the Scots Brigade to his Britannic Majesty; which greatly surprized me, as I considered it as a claim not only from affinity, but also by treaty.

To amuse my mind from these unpleasing subjects, I now paid a short visit to my French acquaintanceMonsieur[227]Cachelieu, at his plantation Egmond. Here, amongst other company, I met with an Italian, a planter called D’O—s, who had but one arm; with which, however, he took up a knife at table, and without the smallest provocation, as I sat next him, made a back thrust at me, to the astonishment of all who were present. Having fortunately parried the blow by beating up his elbow, which occasioned the point of his knife to pass over my shoulder, I started up, and was going to put him instantly to death; but this being prevented, I offered to fight him with one hand tied behind me, and with any instrument he chose, fist, bludgeon, sword, pistol, or even knife; this the cowardly assassin having refused, was kicked out of company, and sent home to his plantation calledHazard.

So violent was this unhappy man’s disposition, that some little time before, he ordered a poor negro woman, who was advanced eight months in her pregnancy, to be flogged, until her intestines appeared, and that only for breaking a tumbler. One of his male slaves, trying to evade his severity, was shot dead on the spot; and there was not a slave belonging to his estate but was cut by the lash of his whip from the neck to the heel.

Colonel Fourgeoud now sending a proper supply of men, with a surgeon and medicines, the Hope wore a more pleasing aspect, and health and content began to be visible in every countenance. Amongst other things, I encouraged the men to catch fish, which were here in abundance, and the negroes taught them how to make[228]the proper snares, such as thespring-hook, andmansoaor spring-basket. I have given a representation of both these in the plate annexed, where the spring-hook is expressed by the letterA, being a long elastic pole, like a strong fishing-rod, stuck in the ground under water, at the other end of which is fixed a double line, the shortest having fastened to it a small stick, ten inches long, and the other the same, but a little lower; while at the extremity ofthisline is hooked a small fish by the fins, in such a manner as to swim to and fro, and be a bait for the larger species. Two long sticks being next placed in the ground so as to appear above water, a third stick much shorter, forms them like a gallows; above this gallows is bent and fixed the elastic pole, by means of the double line and its beams; but in so very slight a manner, that upon the least touch the whole apparatus gives way, and the large pole erects itself, when the fish that occasioned the spring, by taking the bait, is suspended to the hook in the air, asexhibitedby the figureB.

Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Basket.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Hook.

Manner of catching Fish by the Spring-Basket.

London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

Themansoaor spring-basket is much upon the same construction, and may be seen by referring to letterC, where it is represented open and under water, with the bait swimming in it. This basket is made of warimbo reeds, in the form of a sugar-loaf (the above apparatus being fixed to the middle) in the small end of which the elastic pole is fastened, while at the other end is an open trap-door, the whole being supported in an erect position[229]by a forked stick. No sooner has a large fish entered and taken the bait, than this pole, as in the former, erects itself with a spring, and the snap or trap-door shuts on the invader, and he is taken, as may be seen by letterD. This differs from the former, no hook of any kind being necessary. An idea of the ingenuity of the negroes may be formed from these constructions, as this mode of catching their fish requires no attendance, for the snaps being set at night, the fish is found in the morning, which is generally the newmara or barracota already described.

Among the variety of fish caught here was thesiliba, a small oval fish, marked not unlike a pine-apple; thesokay, which is a large fish, and very good eating; thetorro-torro, and another calledtarpoen; the first three feet in length; the other, which is white, about two feet six inches.

On the 26th, I saw a most surprising display of activity, strength, and courage by a young female negro, calledClardina, at the Hope; where a wild stag having strayed from the flock, at the moment it came bounding over the foot-path she seized it in full speed by the hinder leg, but not being able to stop it, she suffered herself to be dragged to a considerable distance, nor until she was terribly wounded would she let go her hold.

The Hope was now truly a charming habitation, being perfectly dry even in spring-tides, and washed by pleasing canals that let in the fresh-water every tide; while the hedges surrounding the fields and gardens were[230]neatly cut, and produced fruit and vegetables of many species for our use. The houses and bridges were also all repaired, while the strictest adherence to cleanliness was recommended and enforced among the men: by these means not one sick person out of fifty was now to be found, where sloth, stench, and disease had so lately spread their destructive influence, and to which the land and sea-scurvy had given the most fatal assistance. Of the above scorbutic complaints, the former covers the body over with blotches, and the latter chiefly affects the teeth and gums.

I now enjoyed the greatest flow of health and spirits, while most of my old ship-mates were either dead or returned to Europe; not a single officer at this time being in rank above me, except only such as had been formerly inured to the West India climate.

But to return to my garden—this at present exhibited carrots, cabbages, onions, cucumbers, lettuces, radishes, pepper, cresses, &c. all thriving as well as in Europe; besides sorrel of two kinds, the common and the red, this last grows upon a shrub, and is excellent for making jam or marmalade. The jessamine also was found here of different species, that growing on a small tree being most admired: it is of a pale but beautiful red colour, and a most agreeable smell; the leaves are thick, shining, and filled with a milky juice. A species of sensitive shrub they callshame-shame, grew also here, as did the sleeping plant, so called from its leaves, which are set in pairs,[231]clapping close together from sun-set to sun-rise, and appearing as if the two were but one; but as soon as the sun is up they again open, and resume their double form. The above-mentioned shrubs were all dispersed through my hedges, besides pomegranates and Indian roses, which blow every day; while a few elegant red-lilies, which also grow wild in the savannas, adorned the banks of my canals, the leaves of which flower have a very bright and beautiful green polish.

Thus situated, we were visited, amongst others, by a Madamede Z—e, in company with her brother, and a Mr.Schadts, who were lately arrived from Holland; this lady was supposed the finest woman that even Europe produced, as well as the most accomplished. She spoke several languages, and was a perfect mistress of music and painting; she danced elegantly, and rode vastly well on horseback; she even excelled in shooting and fencing, &c. In order to make her perfect mistress of all the fashionable exercises, I offered her my assistance in teaching her to swim, which, however, with a smile, she thought proper to refuse.

My soldiers, and even negroes, seemed now completely happy, amongst whom the most perfect harmony subsisted; while I frequently indulged them with a merry evening, and a grey-beard of rum.

One night, in the midst of this festivity, I secretly ordered the sentinel to fire his piece, and cause a false alarm, as if the enemy were on the estate; when I had[232]the satisfaction to see them seize their arms, and rush out with the utmost order and intrepidity. This experiment I was the rather inclined to put in practice, as it was reported that the rebels intended soon to pay a visit to the River Comewina. But we soon experienced that no scene of perfect felicity can be lasting, for the dry season now suddenly setting-in, disease and mortality once more began to rage among us, ten or twelve men dying daily at the Java Creek and Magdenburg, while those under my command at the Hope diminished hourly.

On the 3d, the surgeon made me the following report, “That my Ensign, Mr.Decabanes, had his anchor-a-peek, and would certainly set sail for the other world with the ebb-tide;” which was really the case, for he died that very evening. This grieved me the more, as he had obtained his commission through my interest, and bore an excellent character.

On the 4th of June, the spring-flood broke down my dams while we were drinking the King’s health, and laid the whole post under water, which created vast confusion; and in this distress the overseerBlendermanrefused to lend me any assistance, which occasioned so violent a quarrel, that he was glad to take to his heels, and make his escape from the plantation. I shall never have done mentioning the insolence of these savage brutes, who mostly are the refuse of the earth, brought up in Germany, or elsewhere, under the cane of a corporal.[233]“Well,” said one of these miscreants ironically to an oldfreenegro, “don’t you believe that the monkies are a race of damn’d Christians, who have been thus transformed for shewing so much lenity to such as you?”—“No, sir,” replied the black man, “we do not think that the monkies are damn’d Christians; but I, and all of us, believe that many who call themselves Christians are a pack of damn’d monkies.”—Which pointed repartee afforded me infinite satisfaction.

Of the administrators I shall say nothing, nor of the appraisers of estates; having, I believe, already mentioned that the first got tenper cent.of all the produce, and many of the latter enrich the purchasers and themselves by selling under the value such property as is entrusted to their care.

On the 7th, Mr.Moryn, administrator of the Hope, being in a piece of newly-cultivated ground on the opposite shore, I rowed over to obtain satisfaction of the impertinent Blenderman, who was along with him; but this fellow’s cowardice being equal to his insolence and barbarity, he made every concession, and promised likewise to repair my dams, rather than run the risque of broken bones—thus a reconciliation was established.

Walking through these new fields, where a neat house was already built, I saw some beautiful birds, amongst which was thewood-pecker. I ought indeed to have described this bird before, and another, the name unknown to me, having had an opportunity of doing it when I was at Magdenburg, but I then took only drawings of them.[234]The wood-pecker is about the size of a thrush, and of an elegant cinnamon-colour, speckled with dark brown and yellow; near the rump it is entirely yellow; the head is crested with a fine crown of small feathers, of the same colour as the body: the tail is long and black; the bill is straight, and of a sea-green colour, as are the legs and iris of the eyes, under which on each side are two spots of beautiful crimson.

The anonymous bird, which, however, the negroes calledwoodo-louso-fowlo, from its feeding on wood-lice, is larger than the former, and uncommonly brilliant in its plumage; the head and upper part of its body being of a rich grass green; the breast and belly crimson, divided by an ash-coloured bar. The tail is long, and of a dark blue, as are the prime feathers in the wings, which are also divided from the green by another ash-coloured bar; the bill is yellow and hooked, being surrounded by a number of small black feathers, as are the eyes, the iris of which is of a blood colour. (Both these birds may be seen in the annexed plate.)—As I have already observed, however rich and beautiful the plumage may be which decorates the groves of Surinam, the melodious song there is but seldom heard. They had also here the tamegalinas, or Guinea-hens, calledtokay, which being so well known in England, require no particular description.

The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

The Yellow Woodpecker & Wood-louse fowl.

London, Published Decr. 1st, 1791, by J. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard.

Among the plants which I saw here was theAmerican aloe, above half a foot in thickness, and twenty feet high; it is an ever-green, pithy within and without, covered[235]with sharp-pointed follicles, growing less as they approach the summit. This tree has numerous thick leaves diverging at its base, like the pine-apple plant, which are very long, broad pointed, and dentulated with strong prickles. On the top grows a cluster of yellow flowers, whose pedicles contain the seed of future aloes, and which never fail to come to perfection in the space of two months.

In the skirts of the surrounding woods I saw also thevanillas, orbanilla, which is a shrub that climbs up along the trunks of other trees, adhering to thebarklike nebees or ivy, by the help of its tendrils: the leaves are prodigiously thick, and dark green, the fruit consisting of a triangular pod six or eight inches long, and filled with small polished seeds. These pods, being dried a fortnight in the sun, become brown, and have a fat rich aromatic taste, and most agreeable flavour; on which account they are used to scent the chocolate. There are different kinds ofvanilla, but that is most esteemed which has its pods the most long and most slender. The negroes shewed me here also a small sweetish seed, which they calledbongora.

As I returned to the Hope, I met Cojo, Joanna’s uncle, who had shot one of thehowling baboons, which he brought to the Hope to shew it me. These animals are the size of a small bull-dog, and the colour a reddish-brown, with long hair; they have also a beard, and are upon the whole extremely ugly; but what chiefly distinguishes them from other monkies is their abominable[236]howl, which they perform in chorus whole groupes together, and so loud, that it may be heard above a mile; these discordant concerts, the negroes told me, they generally repeat, both night and day, at the time of high water, which, it is supposed, the baboons know by instinct.—When speaking of instinct in animals, I cannot omit relating the following singular fact; after which I shall return to the historical part of my narrative.

On the 16th I was visited by a neighbouring gentleman, whom I conducted up my ladder; but he had no sooner entered my aerial dwelling, than he leapt down from the top to the ground, roaring like a madman with agony and pain, after which he instantly plunged his head into the river; but looking up, I soon discovered the cause of his distress to be an enormous nest of wild bees orwassee-wassee, in the thatch, directly above my head, as I stood within my door; when I immediately took to my heels as he had done, and ordered them to be demolished by my slaves without delay. A tar mop was now brought, and the devastation just going to commence, when an old negro stepped up, and offered to receive any punishment I should decree if ever one of these bees should stingme in person. “Massera,” said he, “they would have stung you long ere now had you been a stranger to them; but they being your tenants, that is gradually allowed to build upon your premisses, they assuredly know both you and your’s, and will never hurt either you or them.” I instantly assented to the[237]proposition, and tying the old black man to a tree, ordered my boy Quaco to ascend the ladder quite naked, which he did, and wasnotstung; I then ventured to follow, and I declare upon my honour, that even after shaking the nest, which made its inhabitants buz about my ears, not a single bee attempted to sting me. I next released the old negro, and rewarded him with a gallon of rum and five shillings for the discovery. This swarm of bees I since kept unhurt, as my body-guards, and they have made many overseers take a desperate leap for my amusement, as I generally sent them up my ladder upon some frivolous message, when I wished to punish them for injustice and cruelty, which was not seldom.

The above negro assured me, that on his master’s estate was an ancient tree, in which had been lodged ever since he could remember, a society ofbirds, and another ofbees, who lived in the greatest harmony together; but should any strange birds come to disturb or feed upon the bees, they were instantly repulsed by their feathered allies, and if strange bees dared to venture near the birds nests, the native swarm attacked the invaders, and stung them to death: that his master and family had so much respect for the above association, that the tree was considered as sacred, and was not to be touched by an axe until it should yield to all-destroying time.

On the 22d, a patrole arrived from Rietwyk, in Pirica, who informed me, that a party of our troops were just returned to Java Creek from a cruize toVredenburg, at[238]the Marawina; and that, in conjunction with the rangers, they had during this campaign destroyed many fields of provisions belonging to the rebels: also, that for their faithful services, our sable allies had been complimented by the Society with new arms, and, for the first time, cloathed in green uniform jackets. I further learned that theambassadorsto theOwcaandSeramecanegroes were returned after a fruitless journey, as neither of these associations would lend the smallest assistance. In consequence of this refusal, Colonel Fourgeoud, being wearied himself, and having exhausted his troops in destroying most of the rebel settlements, at length determined to relinquish the whole expedition; which resolution he previously communicated to his Serene Highness the Prince of Orange at the Hague.

On the 23d I received positive orders to prepare and be ready on the 15th of July, to break up, with all the troops under my command, leave the River Comewina, and row down to Paramaribo, where the transport ships were put in commission to convey us back to Holland. This order I instantly read before the front to all my men, who received it with unbounded joy and three cheers—but I alone sighed bitterly.—Oh my Joanna! Oh my boy! who were at this time both dangerously ill, the one with a fever, the other with convulsions, so that neither were expected to survive. Add to this, that I ran a nail quite through my foot—thus was completely miserable.

During this scene of sickness and distress, thestrixor[239]night-owlof Guiana regularly paid us his nocturnal visits, even in the apartment where we lay, pouring out his melancholy hootings, until be was killed by one of my black attendants. This bird is here calledOoroocoocoo, from its note, to which this word has some affinity. It is about the size of a pigeon; the bill is yellow, and hooked like that of a sparrow-hawk; the eyes are also yellow; the tongue is cloven; the ears very visible; the legs strong, short, and armed with sharp claws: the general colour of this bird is a pale brown, except the breast and belly, which are white, intermixed with some spots of amber. The superstitious negroes generally believe that where the night-owl makes his appearance mortality must ensue: which prejudice is the more excusable, as this creature only frequents the apartments of the sick; but the real cause which attracts the animal, I apprehend to be thelightsthat upon these occasions are generally kept burning all night, or possibly the morbid, and putrid air, which excites its appetite for prey.

An old Indian woman of Joanna’s acquaintance being now sent for to the Hope, I myself was soon cured by her skill and attention; but my little family continued so very unwell, that I thought it right to send them to Paramaribo before it was too late. And on the 10th of July I sent all my sheep and poultry to Fauconberg, one couple of fat ewes excepted, which I killed, and with which, by the addition of fish and venison, I entertained for two days following twenty-four of the most respectable inhabitants[240]in the river, while the white bread, fruit, and Spanish wines to help out the feast, I received as a present from my very worthy friend, Mr. James Gourland, at Berghoven.

On the 13th I ordered down the troops fromClarenbeek, where an hospital had been asecondtime erected, and they this evening anchored off the Hope.

On the 14th, an officer of the Honourable Society troops arrived to relieve me in the command of the river; and his men from that moment began to perform the duty.

I now removed my flag from the Hope to the barges; and in the evening took my last farewel of Joanna’s relations on the Fauconberg estate; who, crouding round me, expressed their sorrow aloud for my departure, and with tears invoked the protection of Heaven for my safe and prosperous voyage.

On the 15th we finally left the Hope, having marched my troops on board the barges at ten o’clock, A.M.; and at noon I fired my pistol as a signal to weigh anchor, when we immediately proceeded down the River Comewina for the roads of Paramaribo, to be embarked on board the transport ships for Europe.[241]

1See Vol. II. page 69. plate L.↑2This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youthCampbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same.↑

1See Vol. II. page 69. plate L.↑2This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youthCampbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same.↑

1See Vol. II. page 69. plate L.↑

1See Vol. II. page 69. plate L.↑

2This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youthCampbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same.↑

2This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youthCampbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same.↑

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