6 THE SEEVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FEANCIS DOWMAN, E.A. 
concluded. They seemed to have everything in plenty about them, 
and entertained us with coffee and chocolate. They live in huts, but 
the spot they have chosen is most beautifully romantic, on the very 
summit of a mountain. The ascent to it is very steep and rugged, but 
the top is level and entirely shaded from the sun by prodigious high 
trees whose tops touch each other, and prevent even a ray of the sun 
penetrating. In this delightful and pleasing spot their huts are built, 
and, setting aside the fear they must have for their fathers and 
husbands, they seem perfectly happy. 
April 30th. —I was informed that two French men-ofwar had got 
out of Fort Royal harbour in Martinique, given our active commodore 
the slip, landed 400 men at St. Ann’s, and were landing 600 more, 
when they heard the island had capitulated. They immediately em¬ 
barked them again, except some that took the opportunity of deserting. 
May 1st. —The capitulation was signed. 
May 2nd. —A detachment of 400’men under the command of Colonel 
Barlow marched this morning to take possession of the Dos d’ane, a 
mountain that lies between this place and Basse Terre, and which is 
the only pass to that town from Capes Terre. It is a place of such 
amazing strength, that a few men might maintain it against an army. 
May 3rd. —I am informed that the commodore has let the French 
fleet out of Martinico, and that he is in pursuit of them under easy 
sail. 
May 5th. —I went to a French battery on the road to the Dos d’ane 
called Les trois rivieres, and knocked the trunnions off three iron guns. 
I found them loaded with two round shot and two bags of langrage 
each. 
May 7th. —General Barrington has taken up his quarters at Monsieur 
Poyen’s, a man of great property in this part of the island. The 
French ladies come in very fast. 
May 11th. —General Clavering, Major Dundas and Captain Leslie 
sailed from here yesterday in a sloop to join the fleet, and then proceed 
with the express to England. Two hundred men marched from here 
to Mr. Heeds, about five miles off, with orders to remain there. The 
remainder of Elliot’s regiment marched back to M. Penel’s. 
May 12th. —It was in orders that the troops should receive the same 
allowance of provisions as the King allows in the garrison of Gibraltar. 
May 14th. —A detachment marched in here from Les trois rivieres 
under command of Major Teesdale. 
May 16th. —The army marched from here to St. Marie’s to embark 
for the Island of Marie Galante, a French island which lies within 
sig*ht. I am now left at this place alone. 
May 18th and 19th. —I heard a great deal of firing towards Marie 
Galantb>, which made me imagine our troops had landed. 
May 24th .—I was informed the Island of Marie Galante had sur- 
