Another battalion succeeded,
composed in the same way, and really I was agreeably surprised to find
the indigenous force of the colony so efficient. I had never seen any
thing more soldier--like amongst our volunteers at home. Presently a
halt was called, and a mounted officer, evidently desirous of showing
off, galloped up to where we were standing, and began to swear at the
drivers of a wagon, with a long team of sixteen bullocks, who had placed
their vehicle, whether intentionally or not I could not tell, directly
across the street, where being met by another wagon of the same kind,
coming through the opposite lane, a regular jam had taken place, as they
had contrived, being redolent of new rum, to lock their wheels, and
twist their lines of bullocks together in much admired confusion.
"Out of the way, sir, out of the way, you black rascals--don't you see
the regiment coming?"
The men spanked their long whips, and shouted to the steers by name
"Back, back--Caesar--Antony--Crab, back, sir, back;" and they whistled
loud and long, but Caesar and the rest only became more and more
involved.
"Order arms," roared another officer, fairly beaten by the bullocks and
wagons--"Stand at ease."
On this last signal, a whole cloud of spruce--beer sellers started
fiercely from under the piazzas.
"An insurrection of the slave population, mayhap,"--thought I, but their
object was a very peaceable one, for presently, I verily believe, every
man and officer in the regiment, had a tumbler of this, to me, most
delicious beverage at his head--the drawing of the corks was more like
street--firing than any thing else--a regular feu de joue.
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