Page:History and adventures of that famous negro robber, 3 finger'd Jack.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 be 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 arm, they ſoon aſſembled in a line at the foot of the Blue Mountain, 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 Town 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 fun 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