"We free and independent people," answered a voice from the crowd; "we
want our rights. We no get dem, den we kill all de whites."
"Much obliged for your kind intentions," answered Mr Talboys. "There
are two sides to that question, and you must look out not to be killed
yourselves, which you will be, I promise you, if you attack us."
"We see about dat," one of the blacks shouted out.
Mr Talboys replied, and made what sounded to me so long a speech that I
wondered the insurgents had patience to listen to it, till I discovered
that his object was to prevent them as long as possible from
recommencing hostilities. Like other brave men, being unwilling to shed
blood, he would not allow any of us to fire until it should become
absolutely necessary. He again asked the rebels what they wanted.
"We want our rights, dat's what we want," they shouted.
"That's what all your friends in the island wish you to have, but you
won't get them by murdering the few white people in your power,"
answered our host.
"Dat you say is true, Massa Talboys," cried a black from the crowd.
"Hold your tongue, Quembo; take dat!" and the sound of a crushing blow,
accompanied by a shriek, reached our ears, as if the last speaker had
brained his wiser comrade.
"We no cum here to talk, we cum to fight," shouted several together.
There was a good deal of jabbering, and once more I saw, through a
loophole out of which I was looking, the sable army approaching.
"Stand to your arms!" cried Mr Talboys. "We mustn't let these fellows
get too confident. Shade all the lights, but don't fire until I give
the word."
It was pretty evident, from the bold way the blacks came on, that they
supposed we were badly supplied with firearms, one shot only having been
discharged. Mr Talboys waited till they got within thirty paces, when,
just as two or three of them had hurriedly discharged their pieces, he
gave us the order to fire, and we sent a shower of bullets among the
sable mass. Without stopping to see what effect it had produced we all
reloaded as rapidly as possible. A few bullets rattled against the
house, but before we again fired the greater number of our assailants
were scrambling off, in spite of the efforts of their leader to induce
them to make a stand. As far as I could judge, looking through my
loophole, none were killed, though several must have been wounded.