NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY, &c. 245 



some mutineers ; and hoped that they had no concern with them ; 

 and that they would do their duty in defending the guns, and 

 stand by me : which they all assured me they would do, and 

 that they had no concern whatever with the mutineers. The 

 four outer guns I ordered to be got ready as soon as possible. 

 The first two, as soon as equipped, were sent to Dead Wood, to 

 cover the road leading up from Banks's, which I placed under 

 the charge of Serjeant Tunstall, with 6 or 8 artillerymen, with 

 orders to defend them to the last ; and in case of being over- 

 powered, to spike them, rather than suffer them to fall into the 

 hands of the mutineers. Much time elapsed before the other 

 two guns were got out and equipped ; and I expressed my dis- 

 pleasure to the Serjeant for the very great delay, and his not 

 having the shot, portfires, &c, at hand : he seemed confused and 

 muddled ; continued to say it was unnecessary trouble, as he was 

 certain no attempt would be made that night. As soon as the 

 first gun was ready, the men from Long Wood, (working party) 

 consisting, I think, of 2 matrosses, (one of them an unfit), and 3 

 privates of the infantry, joined ; and I think fell in with this 

 gun : we then proceeded to a spot within 50 yards of the tele- 

 graph ; where the road is narrow, and nearly 100 yards in length 

 were commanded. Here I placed this gun, and gave orders to 

 load with grape : the gunner replied, that no ammunition had 

 yet come. I ran back 50 yards, and met a man with it, and 

 hurried to the gun ; but when in the act of loading, the mutineers 

 rushed iipon us, and made me and the party prisoners : we had 

 not time to spike the gun. Mr. Hall was in my rear about 20 

 yards, with a six-pounder, coming up to form on the road where 

 1 had placed the first gun ; and seeing me a prisoner, he instantly 

 spiked that gun, and ran back to the shed (about 200 yards), 

 —spiked all the guns there, and afterwards went to Dead Wood, 



