ut, though they was all round him like
bees when we got to him, 'twas not then as he was hit. There was
more guns further on, and we and they drove on all together; and,
though they was beaten, being fine tall men and desperate, there
was many of them fighting hard, and, as you might say, a man
scarcely knowed how he got hit. I kept to the captain as close as
ever I could, but there was times when I had to mind myself. Just
as we came to the last gun's, Larry, that's the captain's
servant, was trying by hisself to turn one of them round, so as
to fire on the enemy as they took the river to the back of their
lines all in a huddle. So I turned to lend him a hand; and, when
I looked round next moment, there was the captain a-staggering
like a drunken man, and he so strong and lissom up to then, and
never had a scratch since the war begun, and this the last minute
of it pretty nigh, for the enemy was all cut to pieces and
drowned that day. I got to him before he fell, and we laid him
down gently, and did the best we could for him. But he was
bleeding dreadful with a great gash in his side, and his arm
broke, and two gunshot wounds. Our surgeon was killed, and 'twas
hours before his wounds was dressed, and 'twill be God's mercy if
ever he gets round; though they do say if the fever and dysentery
keeps off, and he can get out of this country and home, there's
no knowing but that he may get the better of it all, but not to
serve with the regiment again for years to come.

"I hope, Master Tom, as I've told you all the captain would like
as you should know; only, being not much used to writing, I hope
you will excuse mistakes. And, if so be that it won't be too much
troubling of you, and the captain should go home, and you could
write to say as things was going on at home as before, which the
captain always gave to me to read when the mail come in, it would
be a great help towards keeping up a good heart and in a foreign
land, which is hard at times to do. There is some things which I
make bold to send by a comrade going home sick. I don't know as
they will seem much, but I hope as you will accept of the sword,
which belonged to one of her officers, and the rest to her. Also,
on account of what was in the last piece as you forwarded, I send
a letter to go along with the things, if Miss Winter, who have
been so kind, or you would deliver the same. To whom I make bold
to send my respects as well as to yourself, and hoping this w