Note 5 — CHAP. XXVI.

Their abominable cruelties also, like those of all barbarous nations, are truly shocking. In the colony of Berbicè, during the late revolt, they made no scruple of cutting up their mistresses with child, even in their master’s presence, with many other savage devices too dreadful to relate5.—In the art of poisoning, not even the Accawaw Indians are more expert; they can carry it under their nails, and by only dipping their thumb into a tumbler of water, which they offer as a beverage to the object of their revenge, they infuse a slow but certain death6. Whole estates, as well as private families, have become the victims of their fury, and experienced their fatal vengeance, even putting to death scores of their own friends and relations, with the double view of depriving their proprietors of their most valuable possessions. These monsters are distinguished by the name of Wissy-men, perhaps from wise, or knowing, and by their fatal genius carry destruction to a most dreadful length before they are detected.