ur ship,
accompanied the troops. We found a line of breastworks thrown up for
the defence of the shore, and held by fully a thousand men. But our
brave leader was not to be hindered in performing his duty by this show
of resistance. The boats in line dashed on, and in spite of the round
shot plunged in among us, and the bullets whistling about our ears, the
moment the keels touched the beach we threw ourselves overboard, and,
wading on shore, speedily formed. Then the order to advance was given,
and pike in hand we rushed up the bank. The Cavaliers received us with
a hot fire of musketry, but their artillery was silent, being unable to
play on us without hitting them.

The contest was fierce but short. Nothing could withstand our
onslaught. The Cavaliers gave way, and, escaping across the island,
made for their boats, reaching which they crossed over to Saint Mary's,
leaving us in possession of their cannon, muskets, and pikes, and
pistols, besides several prisoners.

A lodgment on the island being thus effected, we threw up trenches to
prevent our position being retaken when night closed down upon us. We
had to keep a strict watch, the men sleeping with their arms by their
sides, for at any moment we might be attacked. When morning came, the
admiral, with a reinforcement, landed, and immediately gave the word to
advance. We passed over a high ridge which crossed the island, and
descended on the other side, when a view broke on our sight which for
picturesque beauty could scarcely be surpassed.

Before us rose Saint Mary's Island, with its castle and ramparts; below,
in the centre of the roadstead, lay the war ships of the Cavaliers, with
the prizes they had captured, the blue expanse bordered by jutting
points and fantastic rocks of various shapes, while the surrounding
shores were covered with umbrageous trees, green fields, and rich
orchards.

The admiral at once selected a point overlooking the harbour and
roadstead, on which he forthwith ordered a battery to be erected.

No sooner were the works thrown up than we opened a hot fire on the
castle and other fortifications, as well as on the vessels, which,
cutting their cables, endeavoured to escape up various channels hitherto
concealed from our sight.

The admiral, however, no sooner seeing that, at the distance we were
from the castle, our shot could produce but little effect on it,
returned on board, leaving Captain Morris to continue the siege, a