ah, near Daulpore, in pursuit; but he retired to his old
haunts, with his colleague Ameer-Khan, and we to quarters in Futtypore
Seccrah.

The following year, everything wearing the pacific garb, and the gallant
regiment to which I belonged being literally cut to pieces--so much so,
that we had scarcely a sound man left in the regiment--it was considered
to be time that the corps had some cessation from war. Twenty-five years
had they been in India, and stood the brunt of all Lord Lake's
conquests, and those on the coast. When I was in the regiment (1805) I
believe there were only two men of the original corps--Lieutenant
Montgomery, and Quarter-Master Hopkins.

The regiment now embarked for Calcutta. I preceded them in charge of
invalids. Many of these poor fellows were without arms and legs; and
some of them so dreadfully cut up, that scarcely a human feature could
be traced. Many died from their wounds. Mine, by the blessing of Divine
Providence, continued to do well; but I was visited with the most
excruciating headaches and dizziness from the wound in my head; and the
terrific spectacle of the last scene at Bhurtpore so affected my mind,
that scarcely a night passed in which I did not dream of "hair-breadth
'scapes i' th' imminent deadly breach," and fancy I was fighting my
battles over again. My head was so much injured, that the report of a
gun would startle me dreadfully; but, with an excellent constitution,
care, and avoiding drink, I soon recovered, though the wound across my
forehead has considerably impaired my sight. Twelve pieces, or splints,
came away from the upper part of the wound; and when you put your finger
upon it, the skull was so thin that you could feel the pulsation, like
the pendulum of a clock. My wounds are still a certain and sure
weather-glass. That on my forehead will, to this day, swell and expand
on any change of the weather, or variation in the atmosphere.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

FOOTNOTES:

[10] This is a long matchlock, which moves on a pivot, and carries about
a two-pound ball.

CHAPTER IX.

You have now, reader, followed me through my military enterprises, up to
the time of my being appointed lieutenant in the 76th regiment. The time
has arrived when I have to request that you will beat the silvery wave
with me; for I am bound to my native country with my regiment, after an
absence of ten years. On arriving at Calcutta, our reception was
gratifying in the