horse, and shook me warmly by the hand. "No wonder that I did not know
you; you are a very different person from little Peter Simple, who
dressed up as a girl and danced on stilts. But I have to thank you, and
so has Celeste, for your kindness to her. I will not ask you to leave
your work of charity and kindness; but when you have done what you can,
come up to my house. Any one will show it to you; and if you do not
find me you will find Celeste, as you must be aware I cannot leave this
melancholy employment. God bless you!" He then rode off followed by
his staff.

"Come, my lads," said I, "depend upon it we shall not be very cruelly
treated. Let us work hard, and do all the good we can, and the
Frenchmen won't forget it."

We had cleared that house, and went back to where the other people were
working under the orders of the officer on horseback. I went up to him,
and told him we had saved two, and if he had no objection, would assist
his party. He thankfully accepted our services.

"And now, my lads," said Swinburne, "let us forget all our bruises, and
show these French follows how to work."

And they did so--they tossed away the beams and rafters right and left,
with a quickness and dexterity which quite astonished the officer and
other inhabitants who were looking on; and in half-an-hour had done more
work than could have possibly been expected. Several lives were saved,
and the French expressed their admiration at our sailors' conduct, and
brought them something to drink, which they stood much in need of, poor
fellows. After they had worked double tides, as we say, and certainly
were the means of saving many lives, which otherwise would have been
sacrificed.

The disasters occasioned by this hurricane were very great, owing to its
having taken place at night, when the chief of the inhabitants were in
bed and asleep. I was told, that most of the wood houses were down five
minutes after the hurricane burst upon them. About noon there was no
more work for us to do, and I was not sorry that it was over. My side
was very painful, and the burning heat of the sun made me feel giddy and
sick at the stomach.

I inquired of a respectable looking old Frenchman, which was the
general's house. He directed me to it, and I proceeded there, followed
by my men. When I arrived, I found the orderly leading away the horse
of General O'Brien, who had just returned. I desired a serjeant, who
was in attendance at