in seeing the whole operation, and that not without running a very great risk, both from the English shells that burst while I was there, but likewise from those of the French.  One of the largest of their shells bursted within nine or ten yards of me:  there was a single rock close by, about the size of a butt; and I got instant shelter under it in time to avoid the fury of the shell.  Where it burst the earth was torn in such a manner that two or three butts might easily have gone into the hole it made, and it threw great quantities of stones and dirt to a considerable distance.  Three shot were also fired at me and another boy who was along with me, one of them in particular seemed

    “Wing’d with red lightning and impetuous rage;”

for with a most dreadful sound it hissed close by me, and struck a rock at a little distance, which it shattered to pieces.  When I saw what perilous circumstances I was in, I attempted to return the nearest way I could find, and thereby I got between the English and the French centinels.  An English serjeant, who commanded the outposts, seeing me, and surprised how I came there, (which was by stealth along the seashore), reprimanded me very severely for it, and instantly took the centinel off his post into custody, for his negligence in suffering me to pass the lines.  While I was in this situation I observed at a little distance a French horse, belonging to some islanders, which I thought I would now mount, for the greater expedition of getting off.  Accordingly I took some cord which I had about me, and making a kind of bridle of it, I put it round the horse’s head, and the tame beast very quietly suffered me to tie him thus and mount him.  As soon as I was on the horse’s back I began to kick and beat him, and try every means to make him go quick, but all to very little purpose:  I could not drive him out of a slow pace.  While I was creeping along, still within reach of the enemy’s shot, I met with a servant well mounted on an English horse.  I immediately stopped; and, crying, told him my case; and begged of him to help me, and this he effectually did; for, having a fine large whip, he began to lash my horse with it so severely, that he set off full speed with me towards the sea, while I was quite unable to hold or manage him.  In this manner I went along till I came to a craggy precipice.  I now could not stop my horse; and my mind was filled with apprehensions of my deplorable fate should he go down the precipice, which he appeared fully disposed to do:  I therefore thought I had better throw myself off him at once, which I did immediately with a great deal of dexterity, and fortunately escaped unhurt.  As soon as I found myself at liberty I made the best of my way for the ship, determined I would not be so fool-hardy again in a hurry.

We continued to besiege the citadel till June, when it surrendered.  During the siege I have counted above sixty shells and carcases in the air at once.  When this place was taken I went through the citadel, and in the bomb-proofs under it, which were cut in the solid rock; and I thought it a surprising place, both for strength and building:  notwithstanding which our shots and shells had made amazing devastation, and ruinous heaps all around it.