Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/131

Rh a vivacious, gay, but vain people; they have depressed noses, wide mouths, thick lips, splendid teeth, and high cheek-bones; they are strong and broad built, but not tall of stature. The Gangas-negroes are kindred to the Congos. The Luccomées and Mandingos, on the contrary, the noblest of these coast-tribes, are tall of stature, with handsome and often remarkably regular, and even noble features, the expression of which is grave. The negro preachers and fortune-tellers are principally of the Mandingo tribes. The Luccomées are a proud and contentious people; they are difficult-to manage in the commencement of their life of slavery; they are lovers of freedom, and easily excited to violence; but if they are well and justly treated—(such just treatment as they can receive when they are held as slaves!)—they become in a few years the best and the most confidential labourers on the plantation. The Callavalis, or Caraballis negroes, are also a good people, although more lazy and careless. I have seen among them some magnificent figures. They have flatter noses and broader countenances than the Luccomées, and the expression is not so grave. All the negroes here are tattooed in the face; some around the eyes, others on the cheek-bones, and so on, according to the custom of the nation to which they belong. The greater number—even of the men—wear necklaces of red or of blue beads—the red, the coral-like seed of a kind of tree on the island; and the greater number, men as well as women, wear striped cotton handkerchiefs bound around the head. There is here a negro of the Fellah tribe, a little man, with delicate features, and the long, black, shining hair which is said to be peculiar to this tribe. Such are the principal of the negro tribes and characteristics with which I have become acquainted.

But I must tell you about one negro, whose history is closely connected with the family on this plantation, and which has been related to me. It is a beautiful instance