Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/164

Rh suspicious of strangers. The slave-disturbances of 1846 are still fresh in the minds of people, and they originated in this part of the island. These disturbances which gave rise to such cruel proceedings on the part of the Spanish government, have also caused severe restrictions to be laid upon the occupations and amusements of the free negroes. Formerly, it is said, might be heard every evening and night, both afar and near, the joyous sound of the African drum, as it was beaten at the negro dances. When, however, it was discovered that these dancing assemblies had been made use of for the organisation of the disturbances which afterwards took place, their liberty became very much circumscribed.

The free negroes of Havannah have, each nation to itself, their own halls of assembly and guilds, or, as they are called cabildos, for which they elect queens, who again choose kings to assist them. I must see these Cabildos de Negroes.

&emsp; Once more in my excellent room, with my charming Mrs. de C., for a couple of days. I came hither in a whirling cloud of hot, red dust. The soil of Cuba is as red as burnt clay, and the dust is dreadful in windy weather. In rainy weather, again, it becomes a thick slime, which it is impossible to get through. This belongs to the obverse side of nature here. The volante, drawn by three horses a-breast, flew like a whirlwind through the red dust, and our calashero, Patricio, seemed greatly to enjoy the wild career.

It is again Sunday, that Sunday upon which the slaves are to have a few leisure hours, and I have talked to both the old gentleman and the young one about it, and prayed that the slaves might have a dance; but we shall see how it will be. The sugar-mill is not at work, but I see the slaves going about, carrying la bagaza, and I hear the cracking of the whip keeping them to work. It is already