After some inquiry into my circumstances, the officer gave me a penny's worth of bread, with a little cheese and beer, which was principally all I had eaten that day, and travelled about thirty miles. In the morning the sergeant before he had enlisted me, took me to the standard, but found I was half an inch too short for any regiment in the service, save one, which was the 60th Rifles. He said he would enlist me for that regiment, as I should not be able to enter in any other. After many a flaming description of the pleasures of a soldier's life, and telling me withal, that the regiment was then stationed in America, I eagerly seized the opportunity to enlist from the fond anticipation that I should see a country so famous, and to which my eager disposition craved to travel, as the reader has been already informed. Being pronounced fit for service, I was the next day taken before an officer for the purpose of taking oath, or what is generally termed swearing in. The gentleman asked me how long I would serve ; whether for a limited term, or for life; to which I deliberately replied I would serve during life.* The oath was then *This was one of the most imprudent steps I could possibly have taken, to inlist for life: as it involved me into a perpetuity of misery and suffering all my days. But the candid reader, after considering well my case, will not remain long at a loss to answer every inquiry he may make respecting it. The reason why I did so is too plain and obvious. I was in the first place an inexperienced boy, In the second place I was courted by flatterers who might be said to seduce me by their bewitching descriptions of a soldier's life; who after they had enlisted me (for which they received a small bounty for every recruit) cared all my troubles. In view of the goodness of God to me, in these things, I am constrained to exclaim with David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits." I remained in Coventry about ten days waiting for the sergeant to complete the number of recruits he was commissioned to raise. These days I spent in visiting the different places of recreation, in company with my fellow recruits. I felt also, much concerned that my parents should know my situation, as they had not heard from me since I left home. But fearing my new scene of life would induce my father to visit me, procure my discharge, and take me home, I staggered to determine what to do. But after a few serious. reflections upon this subject, and making his case my own I wrote him a plain account of all that I naɑ ɑone, requesting at the same time an immediate answer, but receiving orders to march the next week, I wrote a second time simply stating the fact of my departure and the place of my destination. On the morning of our departure, we were paraded before the staff officers, by whom we were asked if we had any just cause of complaint. We answered negatively. Upon which, one of the officers gave us a few words of advice, and caution, which was highly necessary as almost every man exhibited the utmost enthusiasm and glee. Under the command of an experienced officer we proceeded on our march to the Isle of Wight. Our journey was easy, as we seldom exceeded sixteen miles per day. The reflection has probably arisen in the breast of the thoughtful reader, that here are many adventures recorded for so young a man to pass through or experience. This I acknowledge, but simply reply,that I have strictly adhered to truth, in the whole of my statements. At the close of this chapter, let me most affectionately tell the discontented youth who reads these pages, that in my early, and subsequent trials, he may see the evils that await him if he allow discontent to have its sway, and perhaps far greater ones than these; for if the author has happily escaped from iniquity and vice to which he was exposed during these wanderings, it is alone through the grace of God who has preserved him. CHAPTER II. From the time he enlisted, to his being embodied with his regiment in Montreal, Lower Canada. I am now commencing a new era of my life, and I would that I were better able to describe the scenes through which I have passed, for even now, I feel my spirit rising to God in adoration and thanksgiving for that Providence which has watched over and protected me in regard the counsel of God; and miserable indeed is thy soul, if while thou livest thou art not governed by any filial regard to either! Turn then to the path of obedience, virtue, and religion, and so shalt thou secure a long, happy, and blessed inheritance ! all my troubles. In view of the goodness of God to me, in these things, I am constrained to exclaim with David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits." I remained in Coventry about ten days waiting for the sergeant to complete the number of recruits he was commissioned to raise. These days I spent in visiting the different places of recreation, in company with my fellow recruits. I felt also, much concerned that my parents should know my situation, as they had not heard from me since I left home. But fearing my new scene of life would induce my father to visit me, procure my discharge, and take me home, I staggered to determine what to do. But after a few serious reflections upon this subject, and making his case my own I wrote him a plain account of all that I naa aone, requesting at the same time an immediate answer, but receiving orders to march the next week, Í wrote a second time simply stating the fact of my departure and the place of my destination. On the morning of our departure, we were paraded before the staff officers, by whom we were asked if we had any just cause of complaint. We answered negatively. Upon which, one of the officers gave us a few words of ad vice, and caution, which was highly necessary as almost every man exhibited the utmost enthusiasm and glee. Under the command of an experienced officer we proceeded on our march to the Isle of Wight. Our journey was easy, as we seldom exceeded sixteen miles per day. However, on our way we met with serious difficulties arising from the incivility of those landlords upon whom we were billetted during our march. To them the sight of a body of recruits was always disgusting, which disgust led them to treat these men in the most shameful, and sometimes almost brutal manner. Hence we were often put into beds, the sight of which would make a decent man shudder, and cause his flesh to crawl. Whenever we received good usage from this quarter, we failed not to treat them in the most respectful manner in return; but on receiving contrary treatment we annoyed them by hooting all night like a party of owls and careless of threats, and importunity, we constantly kept our ungracious host from sleep until the dawn of day bid us take our departure. At one place, when the hour arrived which called us to retire, we were required to follow the landlord, a command we cheerfully obeyed, hoping from the appearance of the place, to meet with comfortable beds and bedding. But our hopes were soon blasted from the continued progression of our march, for he pursued his way through the back yard towards the stables. Indeed each man now looked sorrowful, expecting we were to be stabled, like horses. But having taken us through various windings, he at length brought us to an upper loft, connected with some of the out houses, when he left us with the following compliment: "Gentlemen, take which bed you please." Sorrowful sight! To be sure we had a light, |