A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 185: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

182 A QUEER RACE. I had not much fear that the Cariberoes would evade me. Whether their purpose was conquest or merely plun- der, their objective point must be Fairhaven, whither the direct road ran along the north coast, the best cultivated and most thickly populated part of the country; and un- less they took a very devious and difficult route by the south, this was the only road they could follow. I had, moreover, so arranged matters that, let them go which way they would, I should have speedy information. On the other. hand, as they might make a move at any moment, I took every precaution to avoid being surprised. Two of our best runners were sent on in advance; then, at a short interval, followed four more, then eight, after whom came the advance guard, a company of the first regiment. Carib scouts were also continually ahead, and our bivouacs (we had no tents) were guarded by a triple line of sentries and outposts. These precautions were all the more necessary as mul- titudes of slaves were leaving their masters, and no doubt conveying information to the enemy. ‘The houses of sey- eral planters had been plundered and burned, and we met many fugitives (among others, our friend Weston and his family) on their way to Fairhaven. It was evident that the fortunes of Fair Island de- pended onus. If we were beaten, or failed to drive the invaders into the sea, the country would be ruined. As we were eating our evening meal after our third day’s march, two scouts came in with the news that the Caribs were still at Wynter’s Hill, that they had been joined by vast numbers of Calibans, and that appear- ances indicated that they were making ready for a move. In reply to an inquiry as to their strength, I] was answer- ered, ** Thousands.” This was rather vague, and not very satisfactory; but as waiting would not make them fewer, I determined to attack early in the morning. We had light of moon, and by starting at two o’clock we should be able to reach the neighborhood of Wynter’s Hill about six. It would be far better than getting there five or six hours later; for at that time of the year the noon-day heat was almost insupportable. Having come to this resolution, I called my officers to- 0 Mic VOOKS. ECO gether, told them what I proposed to do, and eave such