EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 



caped at leaft from being cut off in their retreat, 

 efpecially if the troops in Rio Perica had a6led con- 

 jointly with thofe in Gottica, by patroling the path 

 between the two rivers, acrofs which the rebels were 

 twice unavoidably obliged to pafs. 



On the ift of September we waited once more till 

 morning, and then buried another of my poor men; 

 while I yet cannot conceive how any one was able to 

 furvive fuch a feries of toil, in fuch a debilitated ftate, 

 and in a tropical climate ; yet fome did, though few. At 

 length, being perfuaded that the rebels muft have pail the 

 Cordon, without having thought proper to pay us a vifit 

 on their retreat, I determined to let the remaining few 

 watch no longer, but permit them to die a natural death 

 At laft, in the evening, when all was too late, there came 

 down by water from the poll: La Rochelle to 6ur affift- 

 ance, one officer and ten men. — I having had but nine 

 left to do the duty at the time of their arrival. 



On the 2d another man died ; and I once more reviewed 

 my forces, which now amounted exactly to feven marines, 

 the few fcarecrows of the Society excepted ; however, the 

 chance of being maflacred by the rebels was at this time 

 over, thanks alone to their puhllanimity, or rather theiE 

 hurry ! 



I now received a letter from Colonel Fburgeoud, con- 

 doling with me on the lofs of fo many good officers, ac- 

 quainting me that I was to be reinforced ; and that on 

 my recommendatioa my ferjeant, Mr. Cubantts, was ap- 



pointed^ 



