L.J. is reading the Daodejing"[Very early the next day, the Maroons of the village returned for a surprise attack and] we lay prostrate on our arms until sunrise, during which time a most abusive dialogue was carried on indeed between the [Maroon] rebels and the [Black] rangers [working with the government], each party cursing and menacing the other at a very terrible rate; the former 'reproaching the rangers as poltroons and traitors to their countrymen, and challenging them next day to single combat; swearing they only wished to lave their hand in the blood of such scoundrels, who had been the principal agents in destroying their flourishing settlement. The rangers [damned] the rebels for a parcel of pitiful skulking rascals, whom they would fight one to two in the open field, if they dared but to [show] their ugly faces; swearing they had only deserted their masters because they were too lazy to work.' . . . when the firing commenced once more from the rebel [Maroons], and continued during the night, accompanied by their martial voices, at intermissions resounding through the woods, which echo seemed to answer with redoubled force."
- Maroon Societies, Chapter 17
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