to clearing away their own filth and
dirt; and I was ultimately obliged, rather than provoke that spirit of
rebellion which I could evidently see only wanted some pretext to show
itself, to pay a set of men daily, as a working party, to clear the
deck, and keep off disease, so often occasioned on shipboard from a want
of cleanliness. This I did by allowing those men two extra drams per day
for their labour.

After a voyage of six months, spent in constant riot and anxiety, and
the misery of the whole increased by scurvy, which prevailed on board,
and the number of deaths which occurred during the passage, we at length
reached our native land in safety, having, in the course of the voyage,
thrown overboard the captain of the detachment, a lieutenant, who was a
passenger, thirty-eight soldiers, and one child, all of whom had died in
that short space of time. Most of the men fell victims to their
intemperance in drink.

We reached England in the month of October, landed at Gravesend, and, on
the following day, marched to the depot at Chatham, where the detachment
was drawn up on parade, and I left them in charge of the staff-officer
of Fort Pitt Barrack.

The parade on which I then stood finished my military career of upwards
of thirty years--five-and-twenty of which I had spent on the burning
soil of India. I had but little cause to feel regret in resigning my
command over the turbulent and drunken set whom I now was about to
quit; but, situated as I was myself, I could not even leave those poor
creatures without a tear; and, when I reflected that I was no longer a
soldier, I felt a weight at my heart that sunk me almost to the earth.

The public are now in possession of a faithful account of the
vicissitudes which have marked the career of one who, in misfortune, can
pride himself on having performed his duty to his country, loyally,
faithfully, and, he trusts, bravely.

From my military readers I feel it impossible to part without a few
valedictory words. Brothers in arms, farewell! May the bright star from
heaven shine on your efforts, and may you be crowned with glory! May the
banner of Albion be hoisted in victory wherever it goes! As long as my
mortal sight will guide me along the annals of war, I will exult and
triumph in your successes, and drop a tear of pity for those that fall.
Comrades, farewell!

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXVI.

CONTINUATION OF THE MEMOIR, UNTIL THE DEATH OF M