tual feelings of friendly regard between our late Colonel and the officers on board the Britannia; for, although no longer actually under the command of Colonel Gilmore in a military point of view, yet considering the peculiarity of our situation, and his professions at the time of disbanding the brigade, we were not altogether without hopes of receiving from him whatever protection his own situation enabled him to afford. These expectations I shall merely observe were not in any particular realized.

The only events of any importance that occurred during the remainder of our stay at Grenada, were the transactions in which Mr. Hudson was concerned. The intercourse between this person and Colonel Gilmore was constant, and appeared manifestly connected with some enterprize on which they intended jointly to proceed.

To this project, which originated with Mr. Hudson, Colonel Campbell's union had been obtained, (doubtless under a misconception of its real nature), and we were

induced to consider it in a very mysterious light, from the extraordinary caution and secrecy observed by the parties, who declined divulging the nature of their scheme, even to the individuals whose assistance would be absolutely necessary for carrying the plan into effect; but to all those whose alliance was solicited, the value of the enterprize was portrayed in the strongest colours, with assurances that the short period of two months would terminate an affair which could not possibly fail of enriching them beyond their most sanguine expectations. Amongst others to whom Colonel Gilmore applied for co-operation I and my friend Captain were included, and on our expressing our determination not to engage in any scheme of the nature of which we were ignorant, and consequently unable to form any opinion of its propriety or policy, Colonel G. with much warmth observed that he could contrive to dispense with our services. This observation, and a circumstance which had Just then come to our knowledge, at once

occasioned a mutual coolness, and a rupture of that social intercourse which had heretofore subsisted. Although we were not positively acquainted with the nature of this scheme, yet every circumstance conspired to induce a conviction of its adventurous character, and the correctness of this opinion was, it will be seen, fully confirmed on our subsequent return to Saint Bartholomew's. To all appearance every arrangement had been perfectly completed between the Colonels and Mr. Hudson, previous to our departure from Grenada; and I likewise understood that Mr. H. had intimated to our Supercargo that he would, on the Britannia's arrival at Saint Bartholomew's, treat with him for the purchase of a large portion of her stores. We left this island on the 10th of March, having now remaining on board only five officers and three privates of our 'late brigade, together with Mr. Hudson as passenger. The Dowson likewise sailed from Grenada on the same day.

The night previous to our arrival at Saint Bartholomew's, we encountered the most

tremendous gale I ever experienced at sea. It commenced immediately after twelve o'clock, at which time we were close upon the island of Nevis, with the wind blowing directly on the land; the darkness was also intense, and the rain fell in torrents. The previous state of the atmosphere gave us no indication of the approaching storm, and before the hands could be got aloft to take in sail, our fore-topmast stay-sail was blown to pieces. An attempt was made to put the ship about, but she missed stays, and we were left to the mercy of the wind on a lee shore. The most decisive measures alone could now prevent our striking, in which case, from the nature of the cargo, the ship must, on that rocky shore, instantaneously have gone to pieces. Captain Sharpe, therefore, finding that the vessel would not tack, with a promptitude, energy, and skill, which cannot be too highly ap-plauded, ordered all sail possible to be set, and had her close hauled to the wind; determined, as his only resource, to get what way he could upon the ship, and make one bold effort for weathering the island. Hav

ing but ill recovered from a slight feverish attack I had suffered at Grenada, I was the only person remaining below, all the others being on deck, prepared, in case of extremity, to make the best shift they could for themselves. Half dressed I sat up with difficulty in my birth, every moment expecting to feel the vessel strike; whilst chairs, trunks, portmanteaus, &c., were tumbling from side to side of the cabin in the utmost confusion. In the midst of this disorderly and menacing uproar, the captain's speaking-trumpet was continually heard on deck, intermixed with the rattling of ropes, shouting of sailors, and whistling of the wind through the rigging; making altogether the most appalling tumult I ever heard. About half past three o'clock the squall began to moderate, and on the approach of day, to our infinite joy we found ourselves clear of Nevis and the reef, having trailed close along the shore, but with so much rapidity as to prevent the vessel making much lee way.

Having thus happily weathered the gale, we early on the forenoon of the 17th again