Page:History and adventures of that famous negro robber, 3 finger'd Jack.pdf/8

( 8 ) Amalkir, the obian practitioner, dwelt in a loathſome cave far removed from the inquiring eye of the ſuſpicious whites in the Blue Mountains; he was old and ſhrivelled; a diſorder had contracted all his nerves, and he could ſcarcely crawl. His cave was the dwelling place, or refuge of robbers; he encouraged them in their depredations; and gave them obi, that they might fearleſs ruſh where danger ſtood. This obi was ſuppoſed to make them invulnerable to the attacks of the white men, and they placed implicit belief in its virtues.

Jack approached his cave with a reverential awe; he ſought his friendſhip and Amalkir engaged to ſet all the ſlaves of every plantation in the iſland in dreadful commotion. Jack, charmed with the plan, ſervently wiſhed its ſpeedy execution; he now no longer groaned under the heavy burthens of the day, the ſweat that chaſed his brows, or the cruel blows of his taſk maſter, created no pain: he had a bairn at heart, which made his daily toil thy lighter.

Two ſummers had now elapſed ſince Jack arrived at Jamaica; and the ſlaves, who were excited to rebellion by Amalkir, were firmly attached to him. They had, by ſtealth, provided themſelves with arms and ammunition, which they concealed in the Blue Mountains. Nothing was now wanting, and they only waited the moment to ſet the plantations on fire to plunge the dagger in the hearts of the Europeans, and lay that fertile iſland in waſte and run. Jack, in imagination, already beheld ſcene, and ſmiled on its horrors!

On the tenth of February, 1780, it was reſolved by this deſperate band, headed by a more deſperate and determined leader to brandiſh ſword of vengeance. The