On the 14th, an officer of the Honourable Society troops arrived to relieve me in the command of the river; and his men from that moment began to perform the duty.
I now removed my flag from the Hope to the barges; and in the evening took my last farewel of Joanna’s relations on the Fauconberg estate; who, crouding round me, expressed their sorrow aloud for my departure, and with tears invoked the protection of Heaven for my safe and prosperous voyage.
On the 15th we finally left the Hope, having marched my troops on board the barges at ten o’clock, A.M.; and at noon I fired my pistol as a signal to weigh anchor, when we immediately proceeded down the River Comewina for the roads of Paramaribo, to be embarked on board the transport ships for Europe. [[241]]
[1] See Vol. II. page 69. plate L. [↑]
[2] This gentleman a little before his departure shewed me a letter from the unhappy youth Campbell; which, after thanking him for every civility, and acquainting him with his dissolution (which he had felt approach) was signed, “Your’s to eternity, R. C.;” and to his father he had wrote the same. [↑]
CHAP. XXVI.
The Troops on Board—Again ordered to disembark—Great Dejection—Mutiny—Insolent Conduct of an Owca Negro Captain—Near two hundred Sick sent to Holland—General Description of the African Negroes.
On the evening of the 15th of July, we anchored off the estate Berkshoven, where I spent the night ashore with my friend Gourley; and in the morning we continued to row down the river, when I took my last farewel of Mr. Palmer. I passed the evening of the 17th with Captain Mac Neyl; and, on the 18th, the whole fleet, consisting of my own barges, together with three from Magdenberg, and those from the River Cottica, arrived safe at anchor in the roads of Paramaribo, where three transports lay ready to receive us, on board of which vessels I immediately embarked all the troops that had come down under my command.