These rebels were no saints: their worship was obi-worship; the women hadnot far outgrown the plantation standard of chastity, and the men drank"kill-devil" like their betters. Stedman was struck with the differencebetween the meaning of the word "good" in rebellious circles and inreputable. "It must, however, be observed, that what we Europeans call agood character was by the Africans looked upon as detestable, especiallyby those born in the woods, whomse only crime consisted in avenging thewrongs done to their forefathers." But if martial virtues be virtues,such were theirs. Not a rebel ever turned traitor or informer, everflinched in battle or under torture, ever violated a treaty or even aprivate promise. But it was their power of endurance which was especiallyastounding; Stedman is never weary of paying tribute to this, or ofillustrating it in sickening detail; indeed, the records of the worldshow nothing to surpass it; "the lifted axe, the agonizing wheel," provedpowerless to subdue it; with every limb lopped, every bone broken, thevictims yet defied their tormentors, laughed, sang, and died triumphant.