we began firing away in return at the forts, as well as at
the impudent little brig, which we at length silenced. As may be
supposed, we gave a right hearty cheer when we saw the shot the
Frenchmen were firing at us fall far astern, and we found that we were
well clear of the harbour. We made sail for Corsica, where we found a
squadron under Commodore Linzee, engaged in attempting to drive the
French from that island. The first expedition in which we took part was
to Martello Bay. It was guarded by a strong round tower, to which the
same name had been given. The troops to the number of fourteen hundred,
were landed the same evening, and while they took possession of a
height, which overlooked the tower, we, and the `Fortitude' frigate were
ordered to attack it from the sea. The `Fortitude' got the worst of it,
for the French turned their fire chiefly on her, while for three hours
we kept blazing away, without producing any visible effect. Some guns
had been got up by the troops to the height, and by the use of hot shot
they managed to set on fire some bass junk which lined the parapet. At
last the gallant little garrison had to give in, when it was found, that
they numbered only thirty-three men, and had but one six and two sixteen
pounders; yet so well did they work their guns, and so strong was the
tower, that they had held it for nearly two days against a large body of
troops and our two frigates. During the time the `Fortitude' had lost
six killed, and fifty-six wounded. Three of her lower-deck guns had
been dismounted, and she had been set on fire by the red-hot shot
discharged at her, besides other damages. The tower, I believe, took
its name from the myrtles growing on the shores of the bay. In
consequence of the way this little tower had held out, the government
had a number of similar towers built on the English coast, which were
called after the original, `Martello' towers. We next attacked a
fortification called the Convention redoubt, which was considered the
key to the town of San Fiorenzo. The redoubt was commanded by a rocky
hill, rising to the height of seven hundred feet above the level of the
sea. As it was nearly perpendicular at its summit, it was considered
inaccessible, but British sailors had to show the Frenchmen that where
goats could find a foothold they could climb.

"Looking up at the hill, it certainly did appear as if no human being
could reach the summit. Not only, however,