d, "Faith! your honour, he
has grown so mighty stiff since he went dead, that he would neither ride
nor walk; he threw himself off my back twice; but I am just after
ordering a fatigue-party to march him there, whether he will or not."

The same sergeant was chided a short time before for shooting an unarmed
man. His officer told him it was a cowardly act to shoot a poor fellow
without arms. "Arms! your honour, I beg your honour's pardon, he had
two; ay, faith, and fists at the end of them; and he was just after
going to be mighty saucy besides. Besides, your honour, did not a
spalpeen shoot at and hit me at Deig, without so much as bidding me the
time of the morning, or by your lave, or with your lave? Fait! they must
expect no palaveration or blarney from Dennis Gaffen." To relate the
anecdotes of this man would fill a volume; but, as the two little ones
mentioned may bear the reading, I will insert a few more in their proper
places.

I slept soundly, and early in the morning commenced cleaning and
new-flinting my musket, and pointing my bayonet, that it might find its
way through the thick cotton-stuffed coats of our enemies. All Mussulman
soldiers wear these coats during winter. The cotton is about two inches
thick, and the coats are worn rather loose, so that you can with
difficulty cut through them; and I am persuaded that many of them are
ball-proof, and that bayonets and spears are the only weapons against
them. In the course of the day I walked down to the batteries, to well
ascertain the road I had to take to the breaches. Our batteries
continued, with unabated exertions, to knock off the defences; and
everything, from appearances, seemed calculated to insure complete
success. My heart was all alive this day, and I wished for the sombre
garments of night. This was the 9th day of January, 1805. The greatest
secrecy was observed as to the storming party; no general orders were
issued, nor was there any stir or bustle till the hour appointed--nine
o'clock. Orders and arrangements were communicated to officers
commanding regiments and companies, and in the same private manner
conveyed to us. The gun fired as usual at eight o'clock. This was the
signal to move out. I kissed and took leave of my favourite pony, Apple,
and dog, Wolf, and I went to my post at the head of the column, with my
little band of heroes, twelve volunteers from the different corps of the
army. Reader, you may believe me when I assure you, tha