first brushes with the enemy --
Barbarity of the Spaniards -- Lawrence's feelings at last
definitely uncomfortable -- Sir Samuel Auchmuty's dislike to
finery in soldiers -- The town invested and subsequently stormed
-- Lawrence in the forlorn hope -- Surrender of the Citadel.

We passed the night before our embarkation in the town: a night to
many perhaps the bitterest they had ever experienced, but to myself,
on the other hand, one mainly of joy, for I felt that I had at last
outwitted my pursuers. But though I cannot say that I was yet at all
repentant, it must not be thought that I felt altogether comfortable
on leaving my country with all my friends and relations in it, so
young as I was at the time: more especially when I considered the
errand we were on, and thought that I might never return to see them
again, knowing that they had not the slightest idea of where I was. I
naturally felt rather timid, as all young recruits must feel on
entering so soon on foreign service as I then found myself obliged to
do.

But the worst and most disheartening spectacle of all was in the
morning when the bugle sounded for the assembly of the regiment; for
only about six women to a company of a hundred men being allowed to go
with us, many who were married had to leave wives and children behind,
with the thought that it might never be their lot to see them again.
When the order was given to embark, the scene was quite heartrending:
I could not see a dry eye in Portsmouth, and if the tears could have
been collected, they might have stocked a hospital in eye-water for
some months. Husband and wife, father and child, young man and
sweetheart, all had to part, and perhaps none were more affected than
the last, though with least cause: it indeed was dreadful to view.

I myself was much affected, but it was at the woes of others, for I
had not one to throw so much as a parting glance at myself; and thus,
amid the cheers of the crowd, and with the band playing the tune of
"The Girl I left behind me," we embarked.

Then I felt quite freed from my pursuers; but in getting out of the
frying-pan I soon found myself into the fire, for as it afterwards
proved I had many men to deal with more difficult than even my old
master had been. Thus it is that many are apt to dislike and leave
their employment through trifles, and in the search for a better often
only get a worse one, much to their disappointment.

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