Note 2 — CHAP. XXVII.

Dinner being over at the Governor’s indigo-plantation, I now departed in his excellency’s coach to the waterside, where a tent-barge and eight oars lay in waiting to row me down to the estate Catwyk, in the River Comewina, whither I was invited by Mr. Goetzee, a Dutch naval officer, who was the proprietor of this beautiful country-seat. In this charming situation, no amusements were wanting. There were carriages, saddle-horses, sail-boats, billiard-tables, &c. all ready for immediate use. But what embittered the pleasure was, the inhuman disposition of Mr. Goetzee’s lady, who flogged her negro slaves for every little trifle. For instance, one of the foot-boys, called Jacky, not having rinsed the glasses according to her mind, she ordered him to be whipped the next morning; but the unfortunate youth soon put himself beyond the reach of her resentment: for, having taken farewell of the other negroes on the estate, he went up stairs, laid himself down upon his master’s own bed, where, placing the muzzle of a loaded fowling-piece in his mouth, by the help of his toe he drew the trigger, and put an end to his existence. A couple of stout negroes were now sent up to see what was the matter; who, finding the bed all over bespattered with blood and brains, got orders to throw the body out of the window to the dogs, while the master and mistress were so very much alarmed, that they never got the better of it2; nor would any person consent to lie in the same apartment, till I chose it in preference to any other, being assuredly the most pleasant room, and the very best bed, in the house. What added much to the alarm of the family, was the circumstance of a favourite child lying fast asleep in the same apartment where this shocking catastrophe happened. They were, however, relieved from their alarms on this score, by being informed that it had not received the smallest injury.