s the human mind, and the recollection of having
uttered them leaves an inconceivable pressure on the humbled heart; but
I pray you, do not expose me to my comrades, or I shall become their
jeer and ridicule. I beg this as a favour."--"What!" said I, "more
afraid of the derision of men, than the wrath of an offended God?"--"No,
no," replied he; "but you know how religious soldiers are held in
derision by some of our comrades."--"Well," I said, "I shall keep your
secret, and you may confidently trust me on this subject; I will promise
you most solemnly that I will never join in the laugh against you, and,
if you have not finished, I shall be gratified in joining you in prayer,
as I have rebuked you for your profligacy." He affectionately seized my
hand, and pulled me toward the earth.

On the following day this poor fellow was summoned to his last account;
and who knows but this single act of faith and devotion might have saved
his immortal soul?

Two o'clock in the afternoon of the 20th of January, 1805, was arranged
for the second storming of Bhurtpore. To prevent any obstruction by the
trench, which was supposed to be at this part deep and wide, a bridge of
bamboos was made, that would admit of three file a-breast. This bridge
could be thrown a considerable distance by a hundred men, and was
supported by ghee dubbahs (skins) in which the natives keep oil and
butter for exportation; which, when dried, are light, and will bear a
considerable weight before you can sink them. Elephants and camels were
also laden with tents, and hackeries, or carts drawn by bullocks, with
bales of cotton, all to fill up the ditch, to enable us to cross to the
breach.

I once more took my station with my twelve volunteers, supported by my
two companies as before. A shell from one of the howitzers was a signal
to move. On this signal being given, the shell, bursting in the muzzle
of the gun or mortar, killed two of our grenadiers--a sad beginning. The
bridge followed the forlorn hope, carried on men's shoulders, and must
have appeared some extraordinary monster to those who were not
acquainted with its intended use. We moved on; and, before I got half
way down to the fort, six of my men were killed or wounded. The enemy,
no doubt encouraged by our late defeat, had redoubled their fire, both
in guns and men; and on the right side of the breach they had thrown out
an underwork, which was filled with matchlock-men, and in which they had
seve