CHAP, perches on the higheft branches) by its note repeating
xiv. diftin&ly the word h a n a q u a w y b a n a q u a w % at the approach
of any perfon in the fqreft; which has alfo occafioned the
name of fo rem an ^ and which fignifies, in the negro language
of Surinam 9 a, tale-bearer o f a fpy j on this account
the rebels in particular have an invincible hatred
againft it.
The grafs-fiiipe is fomething lefs than a woodcock, of a
beautiful lilver-grey colour, and in lhape much like the
fnipes of Europe. This bird i$ moftly .found in the
wet favannahs 5 it is very plump, and exquifitely deli**
cate food.
On the n th the eftate Re&wyk in Pirica was attacked,
but the enemy was beaten back by the military.
Colonel Fourgeoud being now again arrived at Mag-
denberg, and I at laft, being perfectly recovered, after
feven months illnefs, I ventured to propofe, by another
letter to the commander, that I might accompany him
on his future excurfions in the woods, or go for fouie
time to Paramaribo; but neither the one or the other
requeft was yet granted. In this fituation 1 wrote a letter
to town, to inform my poor Mend that I was well, with
which I went to the river fide to look out for a boat,
and towards noon hailed the tent-barge belonging to
Fauconberg, which was rowing with the overfeer to
Paramaribo. This was, unfortunately, a new fuperini
tendant; and not knowing me, he refufed to come afhore
for the meffage, However, feeing the negroes reft Upon
their
their oars, I took the letter in my teeth, and leaped' in- c h a p .
ftantlydntp the river.to difpateh it, knowing they would XI¥-
put me,,'again on t-trra-jirma. Having! thus fwam with
the ftream,- in raiy fhirt.and trawlers, till I came within
two oars len g th o f th e h o a t,Ih d d up-the letter in my
hand, and called out, .*.* Who the devil are you, that re—
“ fufe to take on-board a piece of paper?” When, being,
anfyered in French, ;“,Je fuis Jean Beameeypayfan de
“ Guafcogqe, a yetre^feryicc^l Jiad the .mortification-to
fee,them pulL-aw^y .without a pqffibility of. overtaking
them, pr^eturning* In this diitrefs, l had now nothing
left but tp.perifh, being th e
jfeejm, especially, as-1 was incumbered with my clothes^
but funk -twice to the-bottom in,
theiat^mptt andmnftinevitafelyliaye been drowned, had
k. not caugbjf hold- of a proje<fting paleing th at was. eiedted
ij^the;river for the purpofe of catching fiitu To this L
rern?iped flicking faft ^ when a Dutch carpenter, who ob-
feryed me from the top of. the fugar-mill, called out, .that?
th§Englifh.captain^was|ryingtqjkih himfelf.. On jthisne^s*
a dozen flout negroes immediately leapt intothe river, and.
having dragged me fafe afhore(undenthe dire&ion of my.
gpod friend Medlar, who was inclined, to believe the. report)
lifted me upon-their flioujdeEs tp, carry me. home..
The difappointment, the danger*the angeiyvexatkm, and
fhame (for there was no,cqntradi.&ing.them). had by this,
time wound up my paffions to fuch a height, and made,
fuch an impreifion qn.my fpirits, that.I became perfectly
Vql, I. &B; mad*