Print by F. Tony de B. Del., 1844

Marron hunts were organised by middle class militia and detachments send by colonial administrators. Accounts of hunting sometimes describe how marrons, taken by surprise, unarmed and unable to defend themselves, would rather jump from banks than risk capture. Some marrons were killed fighting. The hunters were required to bring back proof of their death - the victim’s ear or right hand - to claim their reward. Others were captured and returned to their owner or handed a sentence by the colonial courts.