370 CHA P. XIV.
NARRATIVE
OF
AN
mad, and had almost perpetrated the act of which I was accufed; since, on eroding over a small bridge, I actually gave a hidden twill, and, from their shoulders, threw myself with a jerk headlong over the balustrades once more into the water. Here a fecond time I was picked up by the negroes; and now the suspicion being confirmed that I intended filicide, I was put to my hammock, with two fentinels appointed to guard me during the night, while feveral of my friends were shedding tears around me. Having, however, drank some mulled wine, I enjoyed a found nap till morning; when appearing calm and perfectly compofed, my words, to my great joy, began to gain credit, and the apprehensions of my companions were dispelled. — Such was the danger to which I was expofed by the unkind and inhofpitable behaviour of this Frenchman, who nearly obliterated the memory of this transaction by his many succeeding instances of unprecedented brutality. The following day, however, by one of my negroes and a fmall canoe, I sent my letter to Paramaribo. Seeing now about noon a melasses-boat at anchor before the Hope, in which was broiling in the fun an English foldier and two negroes, I made the first come afhore, and entertained the poor fellow with a bowl of punch and a good meal of eggs and bacon, to his great furprize, he not having expected this kindnefs, or to be accosted in his own country language at this place. What were this man's grateful acknowledgments, whose name was Charles Macdonald, will be feen in the sequel of my work. A melasses-