HISTORY  OF  ST. DOMINGO.
245
Thus proceeded this illustrious man : like the simple acorn,   chap. v.
first promiscuously scattered by the winds, in its slow but beau-      180°-
teous progress to the gigantic oak, spreading its foliage with
august grandeur, above the minor growth of the forest, defend-
ing the humble shrub, and braving the fury of contending ele-
ments.
4-
Continuing on the estate on which he was born, when the
deliberations preceding the actual rebellion of the slaves, were
taking place upon the plantation of Noč, the opinion of him
who was always regarded with esteem and admiration was soli-
cited. His sanction was of importance, as he had a number of
slaves under his command, and a general influence over his
fellow negroes. Among the leaders of this terrible revolt were
several of his friends, who he had deemed wTorthy to make his
associates for mutual intelligence; yet, from whatever cause is
not ascertained, he forbore in the first instance to join in the
contest of liberty. It is probable that his manly heart revolted
from cruelties attendant on the first burst of revenge in slaves
about to retaliate their wrongs and sufferings on their owners.
He saw that the innocent would suffer with the guilty; and that
the effects of revolution regarded future, more than present jus-
tice. When the cloud charged with electric fluid becomes too
ponderous, it selects not the brooding murderer on the barren
heath, but bursts, perhaps, indiscriminately, in wasteful ven-
geance, o'er innocent flocks reposing in verdant fields.
There