_Tuscan_ then demanded, what he would do: He said he would travel
towards the Sea, plant a new Colony, and defend it by their Valour; and
when they could find a Ship, either driven by Stress of Weather, or
guided by Providence that Way, they would seize it, and make it a Prize,
till it had transported them to their own Countries: at least they
should be made free in his Kingdom, and be esteem’d as his
Fellow-Sufferers, and Men that had the Courage and the Bravery to
attempt, at least, for Liberty; and if they died in the Attempt, it
would be more brave, than to live in perpetual Slavery.
They bow’d and kiss’d his Feet at this Resolution, and with one Accord
vow’d to follow him to Death; and that Night was appointed to begin
their March. They made it known to their Wives, and directed them to tie
their Hamocks about their Shoulders, and under their Arms, like a Scarf
and to lead their Children that could go, and carry those that could
not. The Wives, who pay an entire Obedience to their Husbands, obey’d,
and stay’d for ’em where they were appointed: The Men stay’d but to
furnish themselves with what defensive Arms they could get; and all met
at the Rendezvouz, where _Cæsar_ made a new encouraging Speech to ’em
and led ’em out.
But as they could not march far that Night, on _Monday_ early, when the
Overseers went to call ’em all together, to go to work, they were
extremely surprized, to find not one upon the Place, but all fled with
what Baggage they had. You may imagine this News was not only suddenly
spread all over the Plantation, but soon reached the neighbouring ones;
and we had by Noon about 600 Men, they call the Militia of the Country,
that came to assist us in the Pursuit of the Fugitives: But never did
one see so comical an Army march forth to War. The Men of any Fashion
would not concern themselves, tho’ it were almost the Common Cause; for
such Revoltings are very ill Examples, and have very fatal Consequences
oftentimes, in many Colonies: But they had a Respect for _Cæsar_, and
all Hands were against the _Parhamites_ (as they called those of
_Parham-Plantation_) because they did not in the first Place love the
Lord-Governor; and secondly, they would have it that _Cæsar_ was ill
used, and baffled with: and ’tis not impossible but some of the best in
the Country was of his Council in this Flight, and depriving us of all
the Slaves; so that they of the better sort would not meddle in the
Matter. The Deputy-Governor, of whom I have had no great Occasion to
speak, and who was the most fawning fair-tongu’d Fellow in the World,
and one that pretended the most Friendship to _Cæsar_, was now the only
violent Man against him; and though he had nothing, and so need fear
nothing, yet talked and looked bigger than any Man. He was a Fellow,
whose Character is not fit to be mentioned with the worst of the Slaves:
This Fellow would lead his Army forth to meet _Cæsar_, or rather to
pursue him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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