er's-man as I was, I could
not refrain from tears at the scene. I again attempted to reassure
them, pledged myself in the most solemn manner to forfeit my life if
necessary for their protection, and they in some degree regained their
confidence. They observed the blood trickling down my fingers from the
wound which I had received, and the poor girls stained their
handkerchiefs with it in the attempts to staunch the flow.

But this scene was soon interrupted by an alarm. It appeared that a
negro had contrived to escape and to rouse the country. They had
collected together from the other plantations, and our party being, as
is usually the case when plunder is going on, very negligent, the
videttes were surprised, and had hardly time to escape and apprise us
of our danger. There was not a moment to be lost; our safety depended
upon an immediate retreat. The captain collected all hands, and while
he was getting them together that the retreat might be made in good
order, the old planter who, by the report of the fire-arms and the
bustle and confusion without, guessed what had taken place, pressed me
to remain with them, urging the certainty of our men being
overpowered, and the merciless consequences which would ensue. He
pledged himself with his fingers crossed in the form of the crucifix,
that he would procure me safe quarter, and that I should ever enjoy
his protection and friendship. I refused him kindly but firmly, and he
sighed and said no more. The old lady put a ring on my finger, which
she took from her own hand, and kissing my forehead, told me to look
at that ring, and continue to do good and act nobly as I had just
done.

I waved my hand, for I had no time even to take the proffered hands of
the young ones, and hastened to join my shipmates already on the
retreat, and exchanging shots with our pursuers. We were harassed by a
multitude, but they were a mixed company of planters, mulattoes, and
slaves, and not half of them armed, and we easily repelled their
attacks, whenever they came to close quarters. Their violent
animosity, however, against us and our evil doings, induced them to
follow close at our heels, keeping up a galling irregular fire, and
endeavouring to detain us until we might be overpowered by their
numbers, every minute increasing, for the whole country had been
raised, and were flocking in. This our captain was well aware of, and
therefore made all the haste that he could, without disturbing the