its dungeon, and a lengthened imprisonment, appeared in withering and close perspective. Between me and my brig, whose flag I saw gallantly waving over the waters of the Elbe, at the distance of 2000 yards, was interposed, for aught that I knew, an entire French corps d’armée. It was indeed a blighting sight, and in the bitterness of the moment, I was not only tempted to curse my own folly, but to anathematize all womankind, who had thus seduced me from my own element, and my own quarter-deck, on which I ought to have been standing, free and independent. In the midst of this bitter reverie, the noise subsided, and the firing ceased. I ventured to look around me. All appeared tranquil. I became somewhat re-assured, and seeing two men in an adjoining field, I ventured to approach them. They gave me a plank to cross a stream. I asked by signs, and in English turned topsy-turvy (which makes no bad German), what road the enemy had taken? They motioned, that they had retreated, and demanded money from me at the same instant. Impressed by the belief, that if we were really masters of the place, the men would not have had the hardihood to do this, I instantly made off, intending to skirt the town and gain the landing place. In passing, I heard sounds which I thought familiar. I approached one of the lanes which traverse the main street, and there beheld! conceive the emotion, if you can, with which I beheld! our own dear, delightful, eccentric, and gallant Jacks, armed with pike, cutlass, and pistol, going it through the town, with all the celerity and animation of a fox-chase, in full cry, – ‘Forward my boys!’ – ‘Have at the French rascals!’ – ‘D__n their eyes, we’ll work them for this!’ ‘And so we will, my brave lads,’ I cried exultingly, bursting into the midst of them, and joining heart and soul in the enlivening chorus. My transport, on this unexpected deliverance, was only inferior to that of the reprieved criminal with the halter round his neck, and forcibly assured me, how true it is, that perfectly to enjoy, we must first suffer. To account for this sudden transformation in the state of my affairs, few words will suffice. Intelligence of the enemy’s entrance had quickly reached the squadron, together with the news that Lord George Stuart and Captain Watts were taken prisoners. All
