78 



TKINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



first governor. After this long spell of inactive ser- 

 vice in Gibraltar he became tired of garrison duty 

 and sought for more active service. Unfortunately, 

 he was transferred to the 75th Regiment then about 

 to return to England, and thus by a great piece of 

 bad luck missed the active service for which he 

 craved. Within a few months from the time he left 

 Gibraltar, the Spaniards fitted out their grand expe- 

 dition for the attack of that fortress — the key of the 

 Mediterranean. The 12th Regiment, which Picton 

 had just left, bore a distinguished part in its defence, 

 and it was with feelings of deep regret and keen 

 chagrin that he came to understand the opportunity 

 which he lost. Besides this he had other reasons to 

 regret having left his old regiment, one of which was 

 that for many years he was doomed to the irksome 

 task of mere routine duty in provincial towns. 



In 1783 a sudden reduction took place in the 

 military forces of Great Britain, and amongst the 

 regiments disbanded was the 75th, then stationed at 

 Bristol, where Picton, being the senior officer, was in 

 command. When this regiment heard that they 

 were to be disbanded, they entered into a league that 

 they would not deliver up their arms, and consider- 

 able alarm was felt in the town, lest other regiments 

 should also join in the mutiny. Picton hearing of what 

 had occurred hastened to the scene and having singled 

 out the most active of the would-be mutineers, drew 

 his sword, and without a moment's hesitation rushed 

 into the midst of them, seized the ringleader, and 

 dragged him out from the midst of his comrades and 



