Artillery arrived at the same time to make his inquiries; and the surgeon having apprehended my death from sheer debility, felt no surprise at the announcement of my supposed decease. He, however, entered the room, and standing at the foot of the bed, fixed his eyes on my body in contemplative pity.

Paddy Blake, (as he was called,) who was warmly attached to me, seeing a something in my appearance to excite his hopes, placed one of his fingers on the carotid artery, and then to my heart, declaring, with an oath, that he felt pulsation-a declaration which roused the surgeon (who was both a humane and a skilful man) from his sorrowful reverie, and called his hopes once more into life.

The pulsation was scarcely discernible to the touch; but in the course of an hour it assumed a more natural and healthful character-I had passed the awful crisis! Great caution, however, was requisite in administering restorative medicine; but, by the help of care, the most perfect medic. 1 skill, and better than all, the kindness of the physician, a few days enabled him to pronounce my life out of danger.

But, O heavens! how shall I describe the horror I felt at my dreadfully shattered state, when permitted to crawl about the room supported by my affectionate little attendant on the one side, and Prospère on the other! The reflection of my emaciated and altered countenance in the glass absolutely unmanned me, and I almost sunk to the floor as I gazed on this terrific testimony of my late suffering and danger; yet, so fondly do we cling to life, that I should have embraced it, with all its cares and sorrows, even on the condition of remaining for the remnant of my days the appalling spectacle I then presented!

It was in the progress of my recovery that I experienced all the advantages of that habitual temperance, which was with me a constitutional virtue.

A change of air having been recommended, I took the first opportunity of proceeding to St. Pierre on leave for a month, accompanied by the faithful pair, Prospère and Marie. Í took up my quarters in that house which called up so many sad recollections; not, however, in the same suite of rooms, but in one of the apartments occupied by the family of the comtesse, whose kind and unremitting attention left me nothing to wish for. When my strengh was sufficiently restored to enable me to sit on horseback, we set out for the family estate -a large plantation situated about three leagues from St. Pierre.

This change of residence was caused by a kind solicitude for my health, which this excellent woman took the most ten

der care to re-establish by every attention to my comforts which her generous heart could suggest. After a fortnight's resi dence in this delightful retreat I felt new life; but the full strength and vigour of my youth was not to be regained in this climate, even under such favourable circumstances; I had been too deeply stricken by the hand of sickness. I felt an entire change of scene necessary to my restoration; I accordingly wrote to the quarter-master-general, submitting my request for leave to take a voyage for a month or six weeks in one of his Majesty's vessels cruising on that station. In a few days I was favoured with a very flattering letter, expressive of the commander-in-chief's satisfaction at the reports received of my amendment, and stating that his Excellency was disposed to pay favourable attention to my wishes, should they lead me to request a few months leave of absence to proceed to Europe.

It may seem strange that my wishes had not turned on home in the first instance; but England had in it nothing to attract me, the world was my home-to me all places were alike, but when the alternative was presented to me in such gratifying terms, all my thoughts of home and country were pleasingly revived.

I did not hesitate to follow up the hint so kindly given, and after a few days longer delay at Cayspilote, bade adieu for ever to the kind and generous comtesse; and bestowing suitable presents on my faithful servants Prospère and Marie, (the former of whom insisted on staying with me to the last,) I took my departure for Fort Royal with a party of naval officers, in whose well-manned barge I had a pleasant passage of three hours. In two days I appeared before a medical board, who instantly decided on the expediency of a change of air; and on whose report my leave for three months was put in general orders, with an understanding that the three were to be extended to six months, on reporting myself to the adjutant-general's office in England.

1

CHAPTER XXXII.

"Take up the bodies; such a sight as this

Becomes the battle-but shows here amiss."

PREVIOUSLY to my taking a final leave of Martinique, it was my painful duty to be present at the carrying into effect the sentence of a general court-martial upon two deserters.

The first of these was a sergeant of the regiment of Walstein, named Jean Louis Rousseau, a Breton, who had joined the royalist standard as a volunteer when only seventeen years of age; and whose gallant conduct had attracted the favourable notice of his unfortunate chief, Count Sombreuil, by whom: he had been promised an officer's commission. Unfortunately this promise had been forgotten or neglected by those who suc-. ceeded to command after the massacre of the brave count; and the youth found himself drafted into a corps in which his meritorious services were unknown, and his claims to promotion: disregarded. After four years' meritorious service, feeling himself deserted, and stung with neglect, in a paroxysm of disgust and indignation he formed the desperate resolution of going over to the enemy.

An opportunity soon presented itself. Having been detached with a party of fifteen men to a distant point of the island,. he prevailed on eight of the party, all Frenchmen, to become the sharers of his perils and his crime. Seizing on a fishing canoe, they put off to sea, braving all the hazards of the ocean, with the vain hope of reaching Guadaloupe before their deser-. tion could be known.

The distance from St. Pierre's to the post at which this occurrence took place, caused a delay of a day and a half before the intelligence was given by one of the party despatched to head-quarters for that purpose; when a sloop of war instantly put to sea in pursuit of the fugitives; and on the third day of their ill-judged expedition it captured their almost foundering bark.

Of the crew three had already perished from famine, thirst, and fatigue; the remaining six lay incapable of exertion, and apparently indifferent to their fate.

On his trial this, ill-fated youth, not more than twenty-one years of age, made a powerful and affecting defence, in whicht.

the broken promises of his superiors, his past and unrequited services, the distraction caused by the disappointment of all his hopes and expectations, formed the chief topics.

But the crime of deserting over to the enemy in open day with one half of his guard was an offence which even the most humane commander could not fail to visit with the heaviest penalty of military law. The sentence of death was passed upon all; but commuted, with respect to the privates, for corporal punishment, to the number of one thousand lashes each! But the fate of the sergeant was inevitable! The awful sentence, "TO BE SHOT TO DEATH," was confirmed by the commander-in-chief; and three days only were allowed to the unhappy youth to prepare for the dreadful execution.

The other culprit was a man of the name of Whitehead, private in the 43rd regiment, a native of Lancashire, condemned to death, as the words of his sentence expressed it, for being guilty of REPEATED DESERTION. The appearance of the two unhappy beings, on the fatal morn of execution, was as dissimilar as it is possible to imagine: and this contrast was not more observable in their persons than in their demeanour during the last awful hour of life.

When marched along the line, consisting of two thousand file of men, preceded by the muffled drums beating the dead march, the handsome young Frenchman bore himself with the most perfect dignity and composure. Stopping for one instant when arrived before the colours of his own regiment, he raised his pinioned arm high as its bindings would permit, and shouted, "VIVE LE ROI!" which was responded by every officer and soldier of the corps, the greater number of whom, though they had so often encountered death in the field, and “albeit unused to the melting mood," dropped tears of pity.

If mercy could have been extended to him, surely, thought I, this was the affecting moment to exercise that godlike privilege: but, alas! there was no commander in chief present, to whom an appeal could be made, and the hard duty of the officer in immediate command was specific.

The wretched Englishman, already half dead with terror, was supported, indeed, almost lifted, along by two of the provost-martial's assistants. The firing party, which was formed in the rear of the line, did not appear until the condemned had taken their stations, about thirty yards in front, where, kneeling on their coffins, they awaited their final doom.

The Frenchman earnestly entreated to be allowed to meet his fate with unbandaged eyes; a request which the provostmarshal in my opinion, humanely refused. A French friar who attended upon Rousseau placed the crucifix to his lips, which, devoutly pressing, he prayed for an instant, and then heaving

one deep sigh, he spoke no more! The bandage was tied over his eyes, which closed for ever on this world of sorrow! I watched his countenance with the deepest attention, but could not perceive a quiver on his still ruby lip, or the slightest change of complexion; the rosy tide of life mantled o'er his blooming features to the latest moment. Was this heroism, or insensibility? Those who had heard his animated defence, could not for a moment suspect the latter. His hands had been crossed over his breast; he changed their position, as if desirous of leaving his heart open to their first fire:-if such were his object it was accomplished!

The poor Lancastrian proved a mere driveller; his piercing cries and supplications for life, up to the last moment of his existence, were horrifying to the ear. At length, all being ready, the provost-marshal, while endeavouring to pacify the wretched Whitehead, waved his handkerchief for the advance of the firing party: they moved with silent footsteps in a line of single files, twelve of the 43d, and twelve of the Walstein, halting by signal in front of their victims. When little more than six yards distant, they came to the "Present!" a shuddering murmur crept through the ranks, particularly those of the black corps; but in another instant the handkerchief fell to the ground, and the criminals were no more.

Seven bullets pierced the body of the emaciated Whitehead, from which issued streams of blood! while from the full and florid Frenchman, scarcely one drop could be seen to stain his milk-white vest. He had received but three wounds, "the least of them a death."

Of all military duties which could fall to the lot of the officer or the soldier, this must be by far the most melancholy. The bodies were left in charge of the provost-marshal and surgeons; while the troops withdrew to their several barracks, the fifes and drums (no longer muffled with crape) playing a lively quick step.