sisted, saying that he would sooner die | door to door; but the inhuman Spathan leave him to perish. niards shut their doors in our faces, refusing me both shelter and food, at the same time they were baking bread for the French. However, my fellow sufferer, by good chance, found a dead horse, and he supplied me with this food and acorns, which at the time I thought very dainty, believe me, and devoured, when first given to me, in no small quantity, which nearly put an end to my sufferings.

I was conveyed on their shoulders in a blanket, almost in a state of insensibility, except when roused by the inhumanity of the three soldiers, who several times tumbled me into the mud, in the most unfeeling manner, swearing I was dead, and that they would carry me no farther; but my rifle comrade threatened them if they dared to leave me.

I mention the following occurrence, in justice to the Spanish women: two girls, daughters of the principal person of the village (a baker), notwithstanding the threat of punishment to those who should relieve me, absolutely did, two or three times, bring me a little food, saved from their own meals.

During these altercations, I was roused from my stupor, and opening my eyes, assured them that life had not yet ebbed. They carried me to a village which had been plundered, and deserted by the inhabitants. Starvation still stared me in the face, for the escort having laid me inside a hut, proceeded with their prisoners to Salamanca, where I begged in vain they would take me, to save my In this miserable state I lay, when life, which was then hardly worth preser- Colonel Gordon, one of Lord Wellingvation; but the idea of being famished ton's aids-de-camp, found me, on his to death was dreadful enough, and I return to Rodrigo, from the French headcould very easily, at that time, have re-quarters, where he had been with a flag conciled myself to any other mode of of truce respecting General Sir Edward quitting the world. Paget, who had been made prisoner during the retreat.

However, it appears I was to overcome all my disasters. I felt a strong presentiment that I should emerge from this state of suffering, although these men refused to allow any of their prisoners to stay with me, or even to carry me farther, as I was a mere skeleton; they left me in this deserted village, destitute of food and covering.

I still survived, but suffered more from hunger than I can describe, having nothing to subsist upon but horseflesh and acorns, (and both sparingly) for three weeks or a month, in the depth of winter, part of November and December; during which time, I lay in an old half-unroofed barn where the Spaniards carried me on their return to the village, without giving me a morsel of bread or food of any sort, but telling me I might lie there and rot; which certainly must have been my fate had not an English soldier found me, who had, like myself, fallen into the hands of the enemy, but made his escape from them, and accidentally took shelter in my quarters, as I kept open house. The poor fellow found me in a state of starvation, and took me upon his back (for I was quite helpless) to the village, and craved food for me from

He gave me a gold piece (three dollars) to buy bread with, and assisted my escape to Rodrigo, from whence I was conveyed to the light division in a cart, a mere skeleton, and covered with all kinds of filth and vermin. Such, my dear brother, is the melancholy narrative of my unfortunate campaign; my appetite has been, ever since my escape from that unwholesome diet, most unmercifully ravenous-indeed dangerously so; for the surgeon was obliged, at last, to forbid food being brought near me, or I should have brought on a fever from excessive eating. A dysentery still keeps me very weak, but I take a good deal of opium.

The ague still annoys me every other day, but the symptoms are not so violent as they used to be; in short, I have hopes now, that change of air and a little English beef, will soon restore me.

When I was missing after the retreat, I was given up as lost by the regiment, and all my things then with it were sold; when rumours of my being still living reached head-quarters, they were immediately collected again, and clean linen sent out to meet me. Colonel Barnard (whose kindness I shall gratefully re

member) sent also several parties in various directions, in search of me, but they missed me, and I was brought in safe two or three days before their return.—Journal of Lieutenant F-..

WILL BLOCK:

A TRUE TALE.

66

which would have excited pity in any heart that claimed the smallest acquaintance with humanity. "So you think that story will do, eh?" continued the first; 'twon't though, missus, so you must tramp. I don't keep a house for vagrums, and sich like." "Indeed, indeed 'tis true; the villains robbed me of all, and I've walked many, It was on the afternoon of a lovely many weary miles. Oh, but for a piece day in summer, a veteran tar came of bread-a little cold water! Can you whistling through the narrow lane that deny me this? Indeed I've not been cuts off a considerable portion of the main used to beg." "Why that's the way road between Plymouth and Exeter, and with all you canting creatures-all ladies, shortens the journey to the weary travel- forsooth! Where do you come from?" ler. There was something in his whole Oh, a'am, I'm a wretched girl; yet I appearance so peculiarly interesting and was once happy: sorrow has indeed neat, that the passenger, after receiving reached me-lost, lost Lucy!" "Ha, his "What cheer, what cheer?" could not I see how it is! What, you've been refrain from turning round and stopping with the fellows, have you? Why, yɔu to take another look. Indeed that spark-good-for-nothing!-there, get out of my ling eye of good-humoured pleasantry, house-get out, I say!" "Can you that countenance displaying at once the generous benevolence of his heart, was not easily passed by unnoticed, or readily forgotten. His dress consisted of a blue jacket and white trousers, a straw hat bound with black ribbon thrown carelessly back upon his head, so as to display the straggling locks of silvered grey that flowed beneath, and a black silk handkerchief loosely knotted round his neck, over which lay the white collar of his shirt: a short cudgel was tucked under his arm. He had now reached the inn by the wayside, where he purposed heaving-to, to take in a fresh supply of grog and biscuit for the voyage. Crossing the threshold, and entering the passage, his ears were The tears were running saluted with the vile discordant sounds of down her pale face, and she seemed faintsome one in a passion. "Never throwing with fatigue and grief, while a man hot water and ashes to windward," says grasped one shoulder, a boy the other, the old tar, shortening sail; "I'd sooner and a maid-servant together, were atengage a squadron of fire-ships than one tempting to force her out. "Yo hoy, woman in a rage. They are sure to have what's the matter here?" said the vetethe last broadside, even while sinking." ran, flinging the man to the opposite side He was putting about to stand off again, of the room, and giving the boy a trip when a sweet voice, in plaintive suppli- that laid him sprawling on the other: cation, struck upon his heart, and brought" Cowardly lubberly rascals! what graphim up. "Twas in reply to the vociferation of the termagant, and he remained, backing and filling in the passage. "What money-clothes-all lost did you say;" exclaimed a rough-strained throat, something resembling the combined noise of a blacksmith's bellows and a flint-mill: "All gone, eh?" "Yes, ma'am, all-all is lost to me," replied a female, in tones

have the cruelty to let me perish?
Where, where shall I find compassion,
if my own sex refuse it! Oh, remember
that mercy, that pity is the attribute of
angels !" "Don't talk to me of angels,
hussy! and as for tributes, there's sesses,
and taxes, and poor's rates enough-Out
I say! What, you won't, eh? Here,
John! Bet!-where are you all? you
pack of idle vagabonds! Here, take
this miss, and turn her out." "Oh, let
me implore your pity-here humbly let
me beg-
"" This was too much for
our honest tar. Entering the kitchen,
he beheld a young girl, plainly, but
neatly dressed, on her knees before an
old woman.

ple a vessel in distress? and you," turn-
ing to the landlady, "to stand looking
on! Is this a Christian country? For
shame, old woman!" "Old woman,
forsooth!" exclaimed the now doubly-
exasperated landlady.
"Old woman,
forsooth! What you takes the part of
the young-en, eh? But she shall budge
directly." "I say she shan't, then.

guinea. "But come, pretty one," draw-
ing a chair, "sit down and rest."
sir, how shall I ever repay your bounty?"
said Lucy. "Wait till I ax you," re-
plied Will, who felt a little hurt at the
idea of being repaid. "Here, miss,"
said the landlady, entering, "take this
nice cake and wine, 'twill do you good.
God bless your sweet face! why, do you
think that I would go for to hurt a hair
of your head ?" "There, there, there's
enough of it-no more palaver; I arn't
agreed for that, you know, though I sup-
pose you'll consider it in the bill." Luckily
at this moment, to prevent the gathering
storm, the bell rang violently in another
room, and she disappeared.
"Come,
come, don't be backward; never mind
an old sailor," said Will: "refresh your-
self, and then tell me what I can do to
serve you; speak as if I was your fa
ther." "Oh, sir, don't talk of my father
-I have fixed a wound in his heart"

Come here, pretty one, and nobody shall | benevolence at any time," holding up a harm you while old Will Block can keep the weather-gage." "Well, this is fine "Oh, treatment, too, in my own house! And you, ye rapscallions, who eat my victuals and take my wages, to see it tamely! Lay hold of her, I say.” "Touch her if you dare," says old Will, flourishing his stick, "and I'll—I'll--Aye, that's right, keep off, for if you come athwart my hawse, blow my wig but I'll cut your cables!" Poor Lucy had got close to his side; but, fearing her protector would be injured for his generosity, she enteated him to desist. "I am not worthy your notice, Sir ;-only a drop of water, for I am very faint." "Shall have the best the house affords, while I've a shot in the locker. Go along, old Mother Squeezelemon, and get something for the poor child; don't you see she's all becalmed ?" "What, give my property to vagrums and wenches ?-not I indeed! Will you pay the reckoning?" Avast, old Grampus! think of this "There, there, don't cry. here when you stands at another bar, and carn't bear to see a woman's tears-it the last great reckoning comes-how makes a fool of me: but tell me honestly will you look then? This will stand a all about it, for I've got to be at old black account against you, and what'll Admiral M- -'s by night!" "Of you have to rub it off with, eh? Go get Grove ?" inquired Lucy, much her a glass of wine." "And who's to agitated. Why, ay; do you know pay? Wine, indeed!-get her some him?" "No, sir; but-but I have seen water, Jack," said the now alarmed land--I have been in company with his lady, for Will's reflection, and the so- nephew;" and again she burst into tears, lemn manner in which it was uttered, as if her heart would break. "Why, ay, operated powerfully on her conscience. I see how it is; knock old Will down "Heave-to, you porpoise-faced swab-for a witch. I see how it is: this is none of your water; get us some wine, and the best in the house, too, d'ye hear? Why, what's the lubber grinning at? Will this satisfy you, you old she-shark?" thrusting his hand into his jacket-pocket, and drawing it out again, filled with gold-" Will this satisfy you?? The landlady's countenance brightened up

66

Why if so be as how you means to pay for it, that's another thing. Well, well, I day says you're a gentleman after all. Come, child, (to Lucy) I'm sorry I was so harsh, but it's only my way. There, run, John, and fetch a bottle of my best wine, and some of those nice sweet cakes-Stop, John, stop, I'll go myself for the poor dear." "Ha, ha, ha! what a generous heart!" cried Will; "how ready it expands at the voice of distress!" shaking his pockets. "Here's the key will unlock the floodgates of her

66

Ι

66 What,

Master Tommy's doings, eh? Zounds!"
clenching his fist ;" but no matter.
“And where are you come from?"
"From my father's, sir." "And who
is your father?"
"Oh do not ask me!
my name is Lucy B
the daughter of old B-
in the Venerable as first lieutenant?”
"Yes, I am indeed his wretched daugh-
ter." "Zounds! why," starting up in
a passion, "why, and has Tom dared?

that was

If my

But don't be frightened, don't be frightened, And so you have deserted your home and my poor old friend?" Spare me! sir, spare me! father was indeed your friend, oh, succour his erring child !” “Well, well, my upper works get crazy now-hardly able to weather the storm. But the villain that would hetray innocence, and then abandon his victim-zounds !——

immure himself from the world than break the oath he had pledged to Lucy, or disoblige his uncle by marrying without his consent, knowing that the old gentleman was ambitious for his nephew

But, come, come along." "I thought of going to the admiral's sir." "To be sure, to be sure! we'll be under weigh in a minute." "Yet, sir, perhaps he will not see me, or it may be injurious to his interests; and I would willingly die toto look for a wife agreeable to the high serve him, for he has a feeling heart." "A what? a feeling heart? Why are you here then? But come along, sweetheart!" and discharging the reckoning, they set off in company.

and faint with fatigue, she entered the inn, and implored assistance.

prospects in view before him, and equally convinced that to thwart his inclinations would but annihilate all his hopes, and cast him adrift upon the world. Such was the state of affairs when Lucy left Of all the eccentric beings in this ec- her home to endeavour to gain an intercentric world, old Admiral M- was view with her lover, and fell in with old the most eccentric. He had risen solely Will, who in early life, according to his by merit, from the station of cabin-boy own account, had sailed with the admito vice-admiral of the white; and 'twas ral, and was now going to pay him a ever his boast that he had never skulk'd visit, and see some of his old messmates, in great men's pockets, nor been afraid of whom the principal part of the houseto dip his hands in a tar-bucket. "I hold was composed. She had been came in at the hawse-holes," he would plundered by some villains of all she say, "and didn't creep in at the cabin possessed at day-break, but still contiwindows." He had been known to ab-nued her journey, till, worn with hunger sent himself from home for weeks together; and no one could tell where he went, or what had become of him, till his repeated acts of generous bounty discovered the track he had taken. He would frequently return home without previous notice, enter the house unobserved, ring the bell, and order refreshments, as if he had never quitted it. Not an old sailor that had ever sailed with him but was welcome to partake of his cheer; and those who had been his messmates previous to his mounting the uniform, if of good character, but not so successful as himself, always sat at his table. Possessed of an immense fortune, which he was accustomed to say was drawn from the Spanish stocks-yet without children, for he was a bachelor —he had adopted his nephew, determined to leave him the bulk of his property. The young man, who really was naturally of an amiable disposition, on this accession to his uncle's favour, associated with some of the dashing characters of the day, and became tinctured with their vices and follies. He had been introduced to the family of Lieutenant B. -, by a brother officer; and that acquaintance which terminated so fatally for poor Lucy was begun. Yet he passionately loved her; but, fearing the condemnation of the admiral, and the loss of his patronage, he had withdrawn himself from Exeter without even bidding her farewell, choosing rather to

The shades of evening fell on the landscape as they passed under the avenue of trees that led to Grove House. Will, having promised to exert himself in obtaining an interview between Mr. M- and his convoy, left her at a short distance, and proceeded onward. Almost overpowered by her reflections, and every pulse throbbing violently with agitation, she leaned against the trunk of a tree, expecting to see the being whom, next Heaven, she loved most tenderly. 'Twas now grown too dark to distinguish objects, but she could hear footsteps approaching, and she sunk without sense or motion to the ground. On recovery she found herself sitting on a couch in a small room, and the old housekeeper, with other females, sedulously administering to her necessity. Her eye glanced wildly around for another object, while the old lady strove to soothe her mind, informing her that 'twas herself who had discovered her in the avenue, at the request of Will. Refreshments were placed, of which Lucy partook sparingly, desirous of knowing, yet trembling to ask, whether Mr. M- was in the house, or had seen the worthy veteran, her kind conductor.

"Pray, sir," said the admiral, entering the room abruptly where his nephew was sitting alone, and ruminating upon his own hapless condition, but more upon

while these orders

agitated than M-
were given. He fixed his eyes upon
the door in anxious expectancy; but
what were his feelings—what his agony
—when Lucy herself appeared! He
would have rushed towards her; but his
uncle caught his arm, and in a voice that
made the poor girl tremble, "No, sir!
would you again coil like a snake about
your victim? would you once more
sting a bosom whose only fault was lov-
ing a villain? Go, sir! you have for-
feited all pretensions to my favour—you

the object of his sincere attachment, lit- | tle imagining that she was at that moment under the same roof-" pray, sir, what does that man deserve who robs a friend of his dearest treasure—who,stealing into the confidence of a young and artless girl, under the flag of affection, turns pirate, and plunders bis prize with remorseless cruelty?" The young man sat petrified, for these questions were precisely accordant to his own feelings previous to the entrance of his uncle. "Answer me!" exclaimed the admiral, raising his voice-" answer me direct-have degraded my name—you have dely?" "I cannot, sir; I am too deeply sensible of error." "Or what does he merit," continued the admiral," who, contrary to the views of a relative that has raised him to opulence, first contracted himself to a young female, and then deserted her!" "Infamy! infamy and disgrace!" exclaimed the agonized M"I feel all-all, and shudder!" "You have judged right, sir : your acquaintance with the poor distressed child of Lieutenant B

M

I have just received information of, and your own lips have condemned you." "Not so much as my heart, sir," replied "Pass what sentence you please; but, oh! suffer me to expiate my fault! do not drive me to desperation !" ""Tis well, sir, you are convinced of your error ;" and, ringing the bell violently, a servant appeared. "Order Mr. M's horse to the door;" then, turning to the young man, "This is no longer a home for you: however, you shall first have the satisfaction of facing your accuser; and again ringing the bell, directed another servant to introduce the stranger. No culprit ever stood more

|

graded yourself. Go, and never let me
see your face again!" This was too
much for poor Lucy; she had expected
a private interview with her lover, and
imagined, when she quitted the house-
keeper's apartment, 'twas for that pur-
pose the folding-doors of the drawing-
room were thrown open.
How great
then was her surprise and distress when
she found herself in the presence of the
admiral! He was habited in an im-
mense cloak that covered his whole per-
son, and his laced cocked hat upon his
head; but the sentence was no sooner
pronounced than Lucy knelt before him
imploring mercy. M-
same moment, threw himself by her side,
caught her upraised hand, joined it in
his own, and offered his petitions with
her's. The old admiral dashed the tears
from his eyes, and, overcome by the
scene, grasped their united hands, and
blessed them. But who can express the
astonishment, the gratitude, of Lucy,
when throwing off his cloak and hat, he
appeared before her as her generous
benefactor, protector, and guide—even

old WILL BLOCK.

at the

END OF VOL. I.

LONDON:

JOSEPH LAST, 3, Edward-street, Hampstead-road.