EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 325 



help viewing with compaffion, and not without a caufe, C II A P. 



XXV III 



many of thena heing already attacked with the fcurvy, and ^ ^ 

 other loathfome difeafes. We however fent for bricks, 

 and built an oven to- bake frefli bread, &:c. and did all 

 that was in our power to comfort them : having received 

 alio a fupply of wine for my own ufe, I gave a hearty 

 welcome to all the ofBcers, to cheer their fpirits ; but this 

 ill-fated liquor had an effedt far different from what I in- 

 tended on one of our captains, P — — / by name, who, 

 from fome mifunderftanding, challenged me to fight him 

 inllantly^ Having retired to fome diftance^ from the 

 camp, and drawing our fabres, he burft out into an im- 

 moderate fit of laughter, and throwing away his v/eapon, 

 defired me to cut away ; but that for his part he had 

 " fuch a real regard for me, that he felt it was impoffible 

 " for him to make any rehftance after which, catching 

 me in both his arms, he gave me fo hearty an embrace, 

 that he had nearly ftifled me, and I could not without 

 the greatefl difficulty get difentangled. Being recovered 

 from my furprize, I could not help fmiling in my turn; 

 and after a friendly reprimand re-conducSled my valiant 

 opponent to the company, where we clofed the year 

 v/ith the greatefl mirth and conviviality,. 



A confounded tumble through my hammock having, 

 ufhered in the morning of 17775 we went to the com- 

 manding officer of the camp, to pay him the compli- 

 ments of the feafon ; where I was fliown the philander^. 



or 



