The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-03

containing some poWuct anu udh, anu ny
purses OF his victims. Although the slave
Martin was suffering severely from his wound
and no doubt much enieebled, he was stlll TOO
powerful for me to effect my escape and,
now Pierre had returned, such project was
for the present hopeless, as he passed cord
round my body, tied ittight behind, and search
ed me very carefully 10 ascertain whether =
had a knife or any thing about me to cut ~;
al the same time twisting the other end round
his left arm. and In this manner we commence
ed our Journey towards the mountains as last
as Martins weak state enabled us TO proceed.
Wa had not travelled above three miles when
he requested halt as he was faint, but Pierre,
who was very powerful man, would not con-
sent. so giving him dram Of rum from u small
bottle he carried ia lis pocket, bid him be OF
coed cheer, saying at the same time, Lean
on me, and courage man, but for few hours,
and we shall be clear from danger The diff
iculty Of travelling had been considerably in
creased by the rayages caused by the hurri-
cane, which was now gradually subsiding
and the extreme darkness Of the night was
succeeded by beautiful morning. the sea-
breeze having again come to us like bless
ing from the east, instead OF the tremendous
west, which, in August, comes but TO sweep
away and destroy all before il. Daylight did
indeed show The magnitude Of its power.
Cane patches lay fiat on the ground as II cut
trees were across the roads within few
yards Of each other; huts, here and there,
were level with the earth, aud the birds, par
ticularly the pelican, were screaming as they
flew from the marshes and other low places
where they had sought shelter from the violent
effects Of the wind.
"Although 70 me appalling, the scene APP
peared familiar ~ the men; and instead OF
feeling awe-s,ruck at the won,lerots power Of
him who had caused the devastation before
us, they laughed aloud, and eSpfossod, IN no
very gentle terms, their satisfaction at the
great luss, and in some instances ruin, which
must easue TO the planters. wishing the whole
property turned to dust OF those who Kept
slaves, who had an equal right to freedom
with themselves.
I" 1t was now high morning; we We're as
cending tho lofty mountain, and us Martin
still complained, his comradc gathered leaf
from the plantaia, and undoing the bandage
from the arm, applied il 10 the wound. which
it Immediately relieved, then tearing that part
OF the handkerchief which was saturated with
blood, he threw i, aside, and rebound Mar
tins arm tightly round several times, both
above and below the wound. A few oranges
and grapes served us for breakfast, and we
made our way up The difficult pass Of the
mountain at our best speed; i being still fas-
tened to the murderer Pierre, who pulled ME
roughly forward whenever | attempted to
slacken my pace.
i" We had SO far avoided the beaten track
as to fancy ourselves quite unobserved, as the
few people we had seen were buslly employ
ed in endeavonng TO restore their dwellings,
which had been damaged the previous night
by the fury of the wind and as the weak
ness of Martin was evidently increasing,
halt for an hour was determined upon. / did
not calculate on this unfortunate shot, Martin,
it will sadly delay US, even to the danger of
being overtaken, for Monsieur Fichaud will
loose no time in coming after us, should he
happen to return to his estate to-day; and if
we again meet! why,I will lodge brace Of
balls in his contriving head, though mine
should be struck from my shoulders as drew
the trigger. The valley beyond this noun
tain viii bring us into Chris'ophe's doninions,
there we shall be free! with an emperor Of
our own color, who will protect and thank us
for Kidding the world Of a couple OF rascals, who
left their own country to seek an early and
bloody end-so now let US seek an hours rest
in this plantation, and then we must resume
cur journey They struck into the thicket
accordingly ; and after looking cautiously
around to see all wns safe, they stretched
themselves on the ground, Pierre, drawing me
close TO him with the cord and placing me
between himself and his comrade. In short
time Martin fell asleep. His loss Of blood
had been great, and the journey fatiguing;
besides which, the sun had been for few
hours in full spleador, and it was intensely
hot. The ruffian Pierre could scarcely resist
the same inclinatiul--he turned several times,
whistled and attempted to sing, took several
draughts from his bottle, yet the drowsiness
increased, and in a quarter Of an hour he was
fast asleep beside his comradc. laid myself
down quietly also, that might not excite
suspicion The idea had struck me that
might escape, and | was employing my
thoughts as to the best means, (lor the cord
still bound me.) when my ego was attracted
by the cleaning edge Of the axe, which hung
in the waist belt of Pierre ! therefor, drew
as close as could to him without touching.
and rubbed the cord upon the sharpcst point;
which soon set me at liberty. No time was
to be lost. Pcrceiving ,hey still slept, stole
away regardless of the Consequences, any fate
being preferable TO the company of two such
wretches, who had committed so henous
crime as a double murder.
"For some time ran on as fast MS was
able, and had great faith in my increasing
safety, as the wounded man had not strength
to follow me, and | felt assured that Pierre,
villain as he was, would never quit his COM
rado while he lived besides, made my way
still up the mountaia instead of returning, as
fancied by endeavoring to get back should