hward, in the direction of Bellevue. He returned
to the house and begged Mr Pemberton to allow him to take as many
volunteers as he could obtain, that he might push his way on to Montego,
to gather as large a force as could be collected, in order to attack the
rebels without delay. Mr Hayward assured him that it would be hopeless
to gain assistance in any other direction, as from certain information
he had obtained the whole of the intermediate country was in a state of
rebellion. Jack was very eager to go, but this his father would not
allow. Six other young men, for whom horses could be provided,
volunteered, and they, with the major's servant and Mr Hayward's
follower, made up a party of ten.

After a hurried breakfast they set off, and were seen from the house
galloping rapidly to the westward.

The remainder of the day passed off quietly. Not a negro was seen
moving about in the neighbourhood of the house, and, except that here
and there blackened patches showed that the cane-fields had been visited
by the ruthless bands of the insurgents, there were no signs visible of
the fearful rebellion raging throughout the country. Mr Pemberton,
however, had become very anxious to obtain news from Bellevue, for
although Major Malcolm had assured him that the house was well
fortified, he was alarmed at hearing that the blacks who had so fiercely
assaulted Walton had gone off in that direction. Bellevue, from its
position and the character of the house, was less capable of offering an
effectual resistance to a determined attack than Walton, and should the
rebel slaves have resolved on its destruction, he dreaded lest they
might by persevering attacks accomplish their object.

On going to the roof of the house he could see, both to the northward
and eastward, dense columns of smoke ascending to the blue sky--too
clear evidence that the insurgents had possession of the country, and
were burning the plantations and residences of the settlers. Several of
his guests thus witnessed the destruction of their homes and property,
while they gave vent to their bitter feelings by uttering threats of
vengeance, though they had ample cause to be thankful that they had
escaped with their lives.

Proposals were made by the more daring to sally forth and disperse the
rebels, but the greater number thought it wiser to remain in a place of
safety. Mr Pemberton himself was unwilling to leave the house without
defenders, lest some fre