30 FIRE AT THE HOTEL. 



Company, I was enabled to retain their services, 

 which I was not without hope would, in the 

 sequel, turn to good account. Still this incident 

 taught me the little dependence that could be 

 placed on men who shrank from dangers in pros- 

 pect, and were ready to abandon an expedition in 

 which, but two months before, they had engaged 

 with the utmost alacrity and zeal : and as Cap- 

 tain Anderson, of the 6th battalion of Royal 

 Artillery, had intimated the eager desire of 

 several of his best men to accompany me, I 

 wrote to Lord Aylmer, the Governor-general, and 

 His Excellency was pleased to sanction the dis- 

 charge of four for that purpose. Colonel Godby 

 was equally kind in affording me assistance ; and, 

 strengthened by those volunteers, I felt that I 

 had now a check on any that might hereafter 

 prove refractory, as well as the comfortable 

 assurance of having those with me on whom I 

 could rely in the utmost need. 



On the evening of the 24th of April a fire broke 

 out in our hotel, just as we were about to quit it. 

 The performance of the Bohemian brothers had 

 brought together a numerous assemblage, prin- 

 cipally of ladies ; and such was the fury of the 

 flames, that for many the upper windows afforded 

 the only means of escape. Luckily, my bag- 

 gage was, for the greater part, removed ; and 

 thus, though most of the property in the house 



