Page:History and adventures of Jack Mansong.pdf/9

9 evening before that fixed for the execution of their massacre, the chiefs of the insurrection met at the cave of Amalkir ; and it was agreed among them, that the signal to he given, was the firing of a gun.

Thus resolved, they separated ; and now the eventful moment dawned ! the heavy bell struck the midnight hour of twelve, and the expectation of the negroes, waiting the approaching insurrection, was at the pitch. At length the awful clock warned them of the time Jack listened to the solemn toll, as from the vapoured sepulchre it struck upon his ear, and whispered the bloody design with infinite delight ! his heart swelled with joy and hope of victory.

At this moment a gun was fired, and a horrid yell ensued. The slaves were in arms ; they soon assembled in a line at the foot of the Blue Mountains, and Jack led them to the carnage.

All the Plantations were soon aroused, and the alarm bell rung ; but ere the Europeans could be aroused from their torpidity, Crawford Towa was in a blaze. The smoke ascended in volumes, mingled with the devouring flames.— Screams of the defenceless, and groans of the dying, assailed their ears.

At this juncture a troop of Maroon soldiers arrived ; the rebellious negroes stood their fire, and ran with fury on the guns of their assailants, who turned their backs and fled.

It was now five o’clock, and the sun had risen ; the streaks of darkness were all dispelled, and morning beheld the havoc which shameless night had aided. Jack, now aware that the colony would proceed against him, called off his troops, and prepared for the fight.

The Governor sent 500 choice Maroons in pursuit of those rebels. They met and fought. The