522 ffcfnas of tbe TCob, IRifle, ant> (Bun 



In 1860 the Revolution in Italy gave this restless 

 adventurer another chance of gaining distinction as a 

 soldier of fortune. He joined Garibaldi, and was with 

 the red-shirted patriots when they made their victorious 

 entry into Naples. Garibaldi took a liking to the 

 dashing Englishman who was such a glutton for 

 righting, and more than once expressed his admiration 

 for the cool courage and keen military instincts of 

 "the Old Shekarry." 



Our ubiquitous hero next turns up in Africa just 

 after the annexation of Lagos to the British Crown 

 by Commander Beddingfield, of H.M.S. Prometheus. 

 " Freeman," writes Major Leveson, " was appointed 

 Governor as well as Consul of the Bights of Benin 

 and Biafra ; and a few months later I was appointed 

 Colonial Secretary and Lieutenant-Governor." 



The climate he describes as the deadliest in the 

 world. The officials died off like flies. The two 

 consuls, the Governor, the chief magistrate and another 

 law officer, the commandant of the garrison, all died 

 within four months of their arrival. One hundred and 

 fifty out of two hundred of the West Indian Regiment 

 who formed the garrison either died or were hopelessly 

 invalided. Only sixteen men of the crew of the Pro- 

 metheus were fit for duty at the close of that period ; the 

 rest were either dead or helpless in hospital. Even 

 Leveson's iron constitution succumbed, and after twice 

 coming back to England sick and twice returning to 

 his duties, he was finally invalided home under circum- 

 stances which he thus narrates : 



"In a very smart skirmish which took place in 



