fice till
the regiment moved.

One death occurred at our detachment. Our bathing grounds were about
one and a half miles from the barracks and we always bathed in the
early morning. Four strong and good swimmers were detailed as a picket,
remaining on the beach ready to rescue anyone in danger. When the tide
is receding the current is very strong. We therefore knew it was
dangerous to swim too far out. The officer in charge always directed
the bugler to sound the retire when he considered there was danger for
the swimmer to proceed farther. One morning Drum-Major Fielding, in
company with Private Charles Dunkley, started to swim out. They kept
together for some time. The bugler sounded the retire and Fielding
obeyed the call, but Dunkley continued. When the drum-major arrived at
the beach he was almost exhausted, and said he did not think that
Dunkley, who was now trying to get back, would ever reach the beach
unless there was help sent to him. The picket was at once sent to his
assistance. While the men were reaching him he was drifting farther
out. When they got to him he was helpless and sinking, and at last poor
Dunkley sank to rise no more, and it was with difficulty the men
returned to the beach.

Near by stands Elizabeth Castle, on a little island which can be
reached on dry land when the tide is out. The body drifted on the rocks
around the castle and was discovered by the men within half an hour
after he sank. In the meantime I had gone to barracks and informed the
doctor of the sad affair, who immediately went to the beach and did all
in his power to resuscitate the lifeless form, but to no avail. The
body was taken to the morgue at the barracks and finally interred with
military honors in the little churchyard at St. Peter's. We erected a
beautiful stone over the grave in memory of our departed comrade.

There was a small barracks about three miles from St. Peter's and a
rifle range where we went to do our musketry course. The companies at
St. Heliers also used this place.

In 1870 we received the news that France had declared war against
Germany and was fighting already. The people of the island were much
concerned over the matter. They were mostly French, and were, of
course, anxious that their countrymen be victorious in the battles they
were about to fight.

CHAPTER IX.

We now received orders to prepare to embark on the troopship
_Euphrates_ for Portsmouth en route for Aldershot. At Ports