Note 5 — CHAP. XXIV.

As a proof of their gratitude, I will only relate one instance:—Some years ago an Indian woman being at Paramaribo, and far advanced in a state of pregnancy, a Mr. Van der Mey humanely ordered his servants to conduct her and her husband into his house, where, giving them a private apartment, and every other conveniency, he wished them good-night. Before the next morning the woman was delivered; but when the servants went in to renew their offers of friendship, neither man, wife, nor child were to be found, as they had before day-break quietly marched into the forest5. Various were at this time the conjectures concerning the boasted integrity of the Arrowouka Indians, until, no less than eighteen months after, the same Indian returned to Mr. Van der Mey, with a charming captive boy of the Accawau nation, that he had taken in battle6; and whom presenting to his benefactor, he only said, “That’s yours,” and without waiting for any answer disappeared.—For this slave the above gentleman was offered £. 200, which he refused, and treated him as well as if he had been free.