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American Revolution. 283

ened the hold, and feveral hundred of Ethi- opians were employed to work day and night under the direftion of a man well fkilled in fuch matters, whofe fur-name was Mcncrief.*

25. Now when the deflroying engines be- gan to utter their thunders, Frevcsi the fer- vant of the king of Britain, and chief captain of thegarrifon, fent out a meffenger torequeft perrniirion for all the women and children to have hberty to go out of the hold.

26. Ilowbeit, the chief captains, D'Es^ iaing and Lincoln, refufed to grant his requefl, inafmnch as they fufpedted that Prevosi only intended to deceive them, as he had (hewn himfelf to be a crafty man at the beginning.

27. Moreover, they expelled the hold would be given up in a ihorter time, if the women and children were confined therein, and that the captain made a fhew of pity, to leng^^hea out the fiege.

f Major Moncrief,