In The
Evening Their Irons Were Examined, And Their Hand-Fetters Put On,
After Which They Were Conducted Into Two Large Huts, Where They Were
Guarded During The Night By Karfa's Domestic Slaves.
But,
notwithstanding all this, about a week after their arrival, one of
the slaves had the address to procure
A small knife, with which he
opened the rings of his fetters, cut the rope, and made his escape;
more of them would probably have got off had they assisted each
other, but the slave no sooner found himself at liberty than he
refused to stop and assist in breaking the chain which was fastened
round the necks of his companions.
As all the slatees and slaves belonging to the coffle were now
assembled either at Kamalia or at some of the neighbouring villages,
it might have been expected that we should set out immediately for
Gambia; but though the day of our departure was frequently fixed, it
was always found expedient to change it. Some of the people had not
prepared their dry provisions; others had gone to visit their
relations; or collect some trifling debts; and, last of all, it was
necessary to consult whether the day would be a lucky one. On
account of one of these, or other such causes, our departure was put
off, day after day, until the month of February was far advanced,
after which all the slatees agreed to remain in their present
quarters until the FAST MOON WAS OVER.
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