dertake
the duty of a piquet was as dangerous as to go into action.
Parties of American sharpshooters harassed and disturbed those
appointed to that service from the time they took possession of
their post till they were relieved; whilst to light fires at
night was impossible, because they served but as certain marks
for the enemy's gunners. I repeat, therefore, that a little
murmuring could not be wondered at. Be it observed, however,
that these were not the murmurs of men anxious to escape from a
disagreeable situation by any means. On the contrary, they
resembled rather the growling of a chained dog, when he sees his
adversary and cannot reach him; for in all their complaints, no
man ever hinted at a retreat, whilst all were eager to bring
matters to the issue of a battle, at any sacrifice of loves.

Nor was our gallant leader less anxious to fight than his
followers. To fight upon something like equal terms was,
however, his wish; and for this purpose a new scheme was
invented, worthy, for its boldness, of the school in which Sir
Edward had studied his profession. It was determined to divide
the army, to send part across the river, who should seize the
enemy's guns, and turn them on themselves; whilst the remainder
should at time make a general assault along the whole
entrenchment. But before this plan could be put into execution,
it would be necessary to cut a canal across the entire neck of
land from the Bayo de Catiline to the river, of sufficient width
and depth to admit of boats being brought up from the lake. Upon
this arduous undertaking were the troops immediately employed.
Being divided into four companies, they laboured by turns, day
and night; one party relieving another after a stated number of
hours, in such order as that the work should never be entirely
deserted. The fatigue undergone during the prosecution of this
attempt no words can sufficiently describe; yet it was pursued
without repining, and at length, by unremitting exertions, they
succeeded in effecting their purpose by the 6th of January.

Whilst these things were going on, and men's minds were anxiously
turned towards approaching events, fresh spirit was given to the
army by the unexpected arrival of Major-General Lambert, with
the 7th and 43rd; two fine battalions, mustering each 800
effective men. By this reinforcement, together with the addition
of a body of sailors and marines from the fleet, our numbers
amounted now to li