y, probably those who are
obliged to remain may not be willing to bear me company." As the vessel
began to heel over towards the battery, I ordered the boats to be manned,
and all left the ship except nineteen men and myself, who had the felicity
to be fired at like rabbits, as the enemy had now brought some
field-pieces to bear on us. Our rigging was soon shot away and our sails
cut into ribbons. At length away went the lower masts a little above the
deck, while about two hundred men were pegging away at us with muskets. To
make our happiness supreme, the sloop of war which had been set on fire
and abandoned, blew up, and set us partially in a blaze, and while we were
endeavouring to extinguish it the enemy took the cowardly advantage of
wounding the purser, gunner, and two seamen, as well as myself, though
only slightly. We had now fallen so much on the side that we stood with
our feet on the combings of the hatchways, with our backs against the
deck. What a charming sight, as my Lady Dangerfield might have said, to
see four heavy guns from the battery, three field-pieces, and about two
hundred soldiers firing at a nearly deserted vessel, and endeavouring to
pick off and send to "Kingdom come" the unfortunate few of her crew who
remained. The captain of the other sloop, finding I was not in the boats,
pulled back in a gallant manner under a most galling fire to entreat me to
come into his boat. This I declined, as I could not in justice leave those
who were obliged to remain behind. Finding he could not prevail on me to
leave, he joined the other boats and proceeded to England, where, happily,
they all arrived in the evening. We had now been aground about four hours,
and the enemy had amused himself by firing at us for about two hours and a
half.(6)

CHAPTER XXIV.

TAKEN PRISONER.

Taken prisoner, and removed to Boulogne gaol--Asked to dinner by
General Lemaroix--News of Perceval's assassination--Parole
refused--Marched to Montreuil-sur-Mer--On to Hesdin; being footsore,
author insists on having a carriage--Drives to Arras.

When the tide had receded sufficiently for the enemy to board us without
wetting their delicate feet, about one hundred and fifty disgraced our
decks. About thirty of these civil gentlemen, principally officers, paid a
visit to my cabin without asking permission. The wine, of which I had ten
do