COVE

Page 4 of Richard Barrett's manuscript.
Accession #: n.d./137

Transcription: nose in all the African deformity of breadth gave him a fierce & forbid-
ding countenance: otherwise he was of stout make, & full four inches taller
than Austin. Copperbottom was [illegible] forty years of age, Austin scarcely
thirty five. The latter had now examined the strength of the enemy, there were
three persons opposed to him, for their leader had brought two comrades
(as notorious depredators tho' less courageous than himself) Ironsides & Brass-
bottom to assist in bearing off the plunder. Nothing daunted by these odds,
nor by Davy’s desertion, the faithful negro challenged the robbers, demanding what
was their business. He was answered by their chief, who called out in derision "Do
you come for your supper-ha! "No, replied Austin, but I come to give you
yours" & at the same instant sprang upon Copperbottom, who stood his ground, while
his cowardly companions ran away. The final blow of Austin took effect on
the forehead, face, & breast of the robber, & partly disabled him, but he was
not to be stirred from the post he had taken, & continued to defend himself
with his cutlass. The fight was now unequal, the blows of Austin fell so
thick, that his opponent that his could only inflict on him one or two slight
wounds, while Austin following up his advantage ^made hideous gashes^ in his chest & side.
But still with courage worthy of a better cause, Copperbottom refused to yield ^and even on his knees offered a vain resistance, & spun out the fight^ till
at length the weapon of Austin passed thro' his heart, & he fell & died mut-
tering curses on his destroyer, on the same spot where he had received his
                                                                                                                  first wound.