army
when they land," said my captain. "Now you see, Mr Hurry, as they
won't come simply because they are wanted, you are to go on shore and
catch them. Captain Hawthorne of the 80th Regiment, with two
detachments, one from the Queen's Rangers and one of his own men, will
accompany you. You will have altogether fully three hundred men. With
their courage and discipline they will be a match for a thousand or two
thousand rebels, and I expect that you will carry out your instructions
with credit to yourself and advantage to the service."

I bowed, and the captain continued: "It is believed that the enemy have
secured some of their vessels in Hampton creek. You are to find out
where they are, and, if you can, take possession of them and bring them
away. If not, burn or destroy them; at all events, acquaint yourself
sufficiently with the country to enable you to lead an expedition up the
creek to capture them. With regard to the inhabitants, you are to treat
them with civility and in a conciliatory manner. If necessary, of
course you will coerce them, but as much as possible show them that we
come as friends rather than as foes."

Having assured the captain that I fully comprehended my directions, and
would endeavour to carry them out to the full, I took my departure, to
prepare for the expedition.

I had a hundred picked men with me, including Nol Grampus and Tom
Rockets, whom I kept by me as my bodyguard. We got the soldiers all on
shore by seven o'clock in the evening at Newportneuse, where I joined
them with the blue-jackets. Meeting with no opposition, we were under
the impression that our landing was unnoticed. Forming on the shore we
began our march at about eight o'clock in good military order, the
Rangers in front, the seamen in the centre, and the 80th in the rear,
with advanced and flanking parties from the Rangers. I felt that we
were in an enemy's country, that any moment we might be attacked, and
that such precautions as we were taking were in no way derogatory to
those who would desire to be considered brave men. Others, as will
afterwards be seen, held a different opinion and suffered accordingly.
Captain Hawthorne, however, fully agreed with me in the wisdom of
adopting the precautions I proposed. We advanced in perfect silence,
feeling our way, for we were ignorant of where the path we were
following would lead us. Road, properly so-called, there was none.
After proceeding half a mile or