244 NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 



B . Colonel Broughtons Narrative of the Conduct of the Mutineers, — 23rf 



and 24th December, 181 1. 



Having been detained on duty in James's Town, until past 7 

 o'clock, I did not arrive at Long Wood till late ; and reflecting 

 on the disorderly state of the infantry regiment, which had shewn 

 itself on that day, I had some suspicion that an attempt might be 

 made to seize on the artillery at Dead Wood shed. As I passed 

 by Hutt's gate, where Mr. Hall, the Conductor, resides, I ac- 

 quainted him of my apprehension, and told him to go over to the 

 shed and see that the guard was present, and to have the guns 

 in readiness. I had not been at home three quarters of an hour, 

 when I received a letter from the Governor, (^ past 9 o'clock) 

 informing me that it had just been reported to him, that the 

 mutineers intended to seize the guns at Dead Wood ; one party 

 was to march directly from the fort, the other from Banks's. On 

 the receipt of this intelligence, I immediately sent for Serjeant 

 Lassels, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the artillery ; 

 and as he did not come so soon as I expected, I proceeded towards 

 the shed and met him— inquired if he had heard of the disorderly 

 conduct of the soldiers, and of their intention to seize the guns 

 that night: he replied, ' that he had just come from the fort; 

 and that I might depend on it, they would not come that night, 



we might all go to bed in perfect safety : for he had heard, 



that they meant to make the attempt on Wednesday : and added, 

 that when I sent for him, he was coming to acquaint me of their 

 intention.' We soon got to the shed : it was then about half past 

 10 o'clock ; raining and very dark. I found Mr. Hall therewith 

 the guard paraded, which consisted of 2 seijeants, and 12 or 14 

 artillerymen. I told them that I expected to be attacked by 



