I
was here placed in a guard--house, and kept there until the evening, when
I was again marched off under my former escort, and we soon arrived at the
door of a large mansion, fronting this parade, where two sentries were
walking backwards and forwards before the door, while five dragoon horses,
linked together, stood in the middle of the street, with one soldier
attending them, but there was no other particular bustle, to mark the
headquarters of the General commanding. We advanced to the entrance--the
sentries carrying arms--and were immediately ushered into a large saloon,
the massive stair winding up along the walls, with the usual heavy wooden
balustrade. We ascended to the first floor, where we were encountered by
three aides--de--camp, in full dress, leaning with their backs against the
hardwood railing, laughing and joking with each other, while two walllamps
right opposite cast a bright flashing light on their splendid uniforms.
They were all decore with one order or another.
We approached.
"Whence, and who have we here?" said one of them, a handsome young man,
apparently not above twenty--two, as I judged, with small tiny black,
jet--black, mustaches, and a noble countenance; fine dark eyes, and curls
dark and clustering.
The officer of my escort answered, "A young Englishman, enseigne de
vaisseau."
I was no such thing, as a poor middy has no commission, but only his
rating, which even his captain, without a court--martial, can take away at
any time, and turn him before the mast.
Pages:
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38