frequently disturbed in the night by the howling of wild beasts, and
we found the small brown ants very troublesome.

April 24.--Before daybreak the bushreens said their morning prayers,
and most of the free people drank a little moening (a sort of
gruel), part of which was likewise given to such of the slaves as
appeared least able to sustain the fatigues of the day. One of
Karfa's female slaves was very sulky, and when some gruel was
offered to her she refused to drink it. As soon as day dawned we
set out, and travelled the whole morning over a wild and rocky
country, by which my feet were much bruised, and I was sadly
apprehensive that I should not he able to keep up with the coffle
during the day; but I was in a great measure relieved from this
anxiety when I observed that others were more exhausted than myself.
In particular, the woman slave who had refused victuals in the
morning began now to lag behind, and complain dreadfully of pains in
her legs. Her load was taken from her and given to another slave,
and she was ordered to keep in the front of the coffle. About
eleven o'clock, as we were resting by a small rivulet, some of the
people discovered a hive of bees in a hollow tree, and they were
proceeding to obtain the honey when the largest swarm I ever beheld
flew out, and, attacking the people of the coffle, made us fly in
all directions. I took the alarm first, and, I believe, was the
only person who escaped with impunity. When our enemies thought fit
to desist from pursuing us, and every person was employed in picking
out the stings he had received, it was discovered that the poor
woman above mentioned, whose name was Nealee, was not come up; and
as many of the slaves in their retreat had left their brindles
behind them, it became necessary for some persons to return and
bring them. In order to do this with safety, fire was set to the