Martinique, to prevent
supplies being furnished to the garrison of the island, and we proceeded
there immediately. I do not know anything more picturesque than running
down the east side of this beautiful island--the ridges of hill
spreading down to the water's edge, covered with the freshest verdure,
divided at the base by small bays, with the beach of dazzling white
sand, and where the little coasting vessels, employed to bring the sugar
from the neighbouring estates, were riding at an anchor. Each hill, at
its ajutment towards the sea, was crowned with a fort, on which waves
the tri-colour--certainly, in appearance, one of the most warlike flags
in the world.

On the third morning, we had rounded the Diamond Rock, and were scudding
along the lee-side of the island, just opening Fort Royal bay, when,
hauling rather too close round its eastern entrance, formed by a
promontory called Solomon's Point, which was covered with brushwood, we
found ourselves nearer than agreeable to a newly-constructed battery. A
column of smoke was poured along the blue water, and it was followed by
the whizzing of a shot, which passed through our boom mainsail, first
cutting away the dog-vane, which was close to old Swinburne's head, as
he stood on the carronade, conning the brig. I was at dinner in the
cabin with O'Brien and the first lieutenant.

"Where the devil have they got the brig now?" said O'Brien, rising from
his chair, and going on deck.

We both followed; but before we were on deck, three or four more shots
passed between the masts. "If you please, sir," said the master's mate
in charge of the deck, whose name was O'Farrel, "the battery has opened
upon us."

"Thank you very much for your information, Mr O'Farrel," replied
O'Brien; "but the French have _reported_ it before you. May I ask if
you've any particular fancy to be made a target of, or if you think that
His Majesty's brig _Rattlesnake_ was sent here to be riddled for nothing
at all? Starboard the helm, quarter-master."

The helm was put up, and the brig was soon run out of the fire; not,
however, until a few more shot were pitched close to us; and one carried
away the fore-topmast backstay.

"No, Mr O'Farrel," replied O'Brien, "I only wish to point out to you,
that I trust neither I nor any one in this ship cares a fig about the
whizzing of a shot or two about our ears, when there is anything to be
gained for it, either for ourselves or for our country; but