waiting for further orders. We hurried on. Daylight was making rapid
strides, and as the French would soon discover the smallness of our
numbers, we should have their whole force down upon us, and we should be
cut to pieces or taken prisoners.

As soon as I had delivered the order to the marine officer, he gave the
word, "March--double-quick," and off we set at a pretty smart run.
Drums and fifes were sounding in the fort, and as we crossed a ridge, I
saw from the top of it a large body of troops coming out of the gate in
pursuit of us. We could not proceed faster than we were marching, on
account of the wounded, who were carried by the bluejackets in the
centre of the party. As it was, I perceived that many of the poor
fellows, from the groans to which they gave vent, were suffering
dreadfully. Still it was impossible to leave them behind, for though
the French might have treated them with humanity, the negroes would
probably have murdered them, had they fallen into their hands. Daylight
was increasing, of course exposing us more clearly to the enemy. I
never before had had to run away, and I cannot say that I liked the
feeling, still there can be no doubt that in this instance discretion
was the best part of valour. It would have been folly to stop and
fight, as at any moment parties might appear, landed from the vessels we
had attacked, and who might cut us off. The lieutenant of the Pearl,
who commanded the seamen, had been killed in the attack, so that the
entire command devolved on Lieutenant Fig, and, to do him justice, he
behaved with great judgment.

The enemy, in strong force, were now rapidly approaching us. At length
we came in sight of the boats: the wounded were sent on, while the rest
of the party faced about to encounter our foes. On they came, but the
steady front exhibited by the marines made them halt. Once more they
advanced. We received them with a hot fire, and stood our ground,
driving them back to some distance, but only for a few minutes, for as
we were about to continue our retreat, again they came on, expecting by
their greatly superior numbers to overwhelm us. Again and again they
charged us. Several of our men had fallen, and it was too evident that
they would soon cut us to pieces. Should we be once thrown into
disorder, we should be destroyed before we could reach the boats. I
found, too, that our ammunition was almost expended. Again the enemy
came on, when, at the same