better
than usual, and they complimented Mammy upon it. Mammy, who had taken
her seat with a scowl on her brow, and had not spoken a word, merely
bowed her head in reply to their observations.

Dinner was over, and then Mammy desired Leila to bring her a goblet
which was on the sideboard, and a small white jug which was in the
_buffet_. She appeared much distressed, and hesitated a good deal,
putting the goblet to her lips, and then putting it down on the table
without tasting it. This conduct induced us all to look seriously at
her. At last she took it up, sighed deeply, and drank the whole off at
a draught. For a few seconds she held her hand over her forehead, with
her elbows resting on the table. At last she looked up and said,
"Gemmen, I got a little speech to make--I very sorry dat I not drink
your health; but it no use--dat why you see me drink; I tell plenty time
you make me mad--you make me drink obeah water--make me kill myself.
Now I ab done it--I drink pison water just now. In two hour I dead
woman."

At this communication, the truth of which appeared confirmed by the
woman's behaviour, all the company started from their chairs.

"Gemmen, I dare say you all very sorry; you be more sorry by-and-by.
Captain, I beg your pardon; Mr W---, Mr G (the two planters), I beg
your pardon; I not mean hurt you, but could not help it. Now I tell all
company, all drink the pison water--because I not like die on the
jibbit, I drink de pison water--Gemmen your dinner all pison, and you
all pisoned. Yes, all pisoned," cried Mammy Crissobella at the highest
pitch of her voice, and rushing out of the room.

At this announcement, I started from my chair and clasped my hands, as
if in agony. I looked round me--never did I witness such a variety of
horror as was expressed in the different faces at the hotel. The old
planter; Mr D, who sat next to me, and who was in the secret as well as
Mr G, laid his head on the table with a groan. "The Lord have mercy on
my sins," exclaimed Mr G; Mr Lieutenant Maxwell looked me in the face,
and then burst into tears; Mr Lieutenant Dott put his fingers down his
throat, and with three or four more getting rid of their dinner as fast
as they could.

At last I sprang up to ring the bell; no one answered. I rang again
more furiously. At last a slave appeared.

"Where's my servant?"

"Not here, sar."

"Where's all the people of the house?"

"All with missy, sar; Mammy Crissob