pah. I hastened down to the Colonel's tent to inform him of the circumstance; the balls were flying in all directions from the pah. Just as I was about to enter the tent, a grape-shot went right through it, and another struck a musket that was piled outside, and broke the stock to pieces.

Preparations were immediately made to get the gun in position, and by noon the following day a breach (as was supposed) was effected, and it was resolved to storm. When the storming-party was drawn up, and about to advance, the attention of every man was attracted by the natives running down the hill as fast as they could. The fact was, Heki's people had attacked it in the rear unexpectedly; they had crept through the wood. The 58th company was ordered to rush up the hill, which they did in fine style, under Major Bridge, and soon dislodged them; but not until they had taken the greater portion of ammunition and muskets belonging to Walker's natives: it struck me as being a piece of treachery. The most melancholy part of my narrative remains to be told. The attack was made by the troops and a few sailors, under Lieutenant Phillpotts; the result was, as I expected, most disastrous and sanguinary. The greatest courage and gallantry was displayed by both men and officers; in vain did they try to make an entrance; there was no opening. The soldiers fired through the aperture; one or two sailors climbed up, but were immediately shot dead. Lieutenant Phillpotts fell dead, pierced with three balls: Captain Grant was killed at the same time and place; he commanded the grenadiers of the 58th. Major M'Pherson, of the 99th, was severely wounded: a particular friend of mine, Lieutenant Beaty, was also shot through the lungs, and only survived two days. He was a very fine young fellow and very much esteemed; he also belonged to the grenadier company of the 99th. Lieutenant O'Riely, of the same regiment, was also severely wounded in the arm. Lieutenant Johnson received a ball through the peak of his cap, which blackened his eyes only.

About one hundred and twenty men had now fallen, killed and wounded, without the slightest advantage being obtained. The Colonel now ordered the retreat to be sounded, and the troops retired in good order under a very heavy fire from the pah. The friendly natives, as they are called, did not render the slightest assistance on this occasion, but merely looked on quietly from the hill. They said the soldiers were very brave, but great fools to attempt to force an entrance without an opening having been made. I cannot conclude this description of the attack on the pah without adverting to the gallant conduct of Lieut. Phillpotts, of the Hazard, and his brave men. He divested himself of everything but his shirt and drawers, and was the first to rush on the pah with six soldiers and two marines. He was like a maniac, thrusting his sword through the flax, and endeavouring with his men to pull down the trees with their hands. Of course he was soon riddled, as also most of those with him. As the troops were obliged to retreat to the camp, as a matter of course, they were obliged to leave all their dead, as well as all the wounded that could not scramble away, behind them. The enemy put the whole of the latter to death, and some of them in the most cruel manner, by placing them across the fire, and dancing round them. They also cut off many of the fleshy parts of their bodies while alive, and devoured them. The dead they mutilated in a most disgusting manner. They then sent word that we might send for the dead: they

were sent for, and they were all given up excepting Captain Grant. Lieut. Phillpotts cut a shocking figure: his head was scalped, and be was otherwise mutilated. He used to wear an eye-glass: they hung it on a tree outside the pah. Many of the soldiers had the flesh burnt off their backs. It was strongly suspected that Captain Grant had been eaten entirely, as they would not give him up. The force was now considerably reduced, one-fourth of the number being hors de combat. To attempt another attack was out of the question: all they could do now was to act upon the defensive, and annoy the enemy as much as possible with their big guns; so a fire was constantly kept up on them. They must have lost a considerable number, but nothing equal to ours.

On the fourth day after the attack, that is, on the 5th of July, the pah was forsaken by the enemy; they left it in the night, without our having the slightest knowledge of it; and it was not discovered till late the following day, and after it had been fired on for some time; and it was then discovered by Walker's people. Thus they completely slipped through our fingers.

The soldiers were then ordered down to it, and it was entered: the only person found in it was an old woman fast asleep by the side of the bell. The natives wanted to kill her, but they were prevented. They could get nothing out of her, only that she had been forced to remain there. All the muskets belonging to the soldiers were left behind, three barrels of powder, a great quantity of potatoes, and many other things. A scramble took place among the natives for a few things left behind, and two young women were grappling for a double-barrelled gun, when it went off, and killed one of them. We were all rather surprized that they should have left so many muskets and so much powder behind them; but it was said by an Englishman who was well acquainted with the manners and customs of the Mauries, that it was left in payment for the soldiers they had killed. The body of Captain Grant was searched for, and found a few feet under the ground. It was very much mutilated: the whole of the buttocks were cut away. The old woman said they had feasted on it.

The troops now returned to Wymatta within two days after, some wounded being sent to the ships. I accompanied them, too glad of the opportunity; for I had been now fifteen days sleeping on the ground, and had never had my clothes off. The screams of the poor soldiers as they were jolted on the bullock-carts were shocking. I saw them all on board of the Staines Castle, on board of which I remained three days to dress their wounds, until a surgeon was sent down from the Hazard. I then returned to the British Sovereign, and found her still on her beam ends, and half full of water. I was obliged to take up my quarters on board of an old hulk, as were all the rest of the crew. It was very damp, and I got violent pains in my head and limbs. In a few days the vessel was patched up, and declared ready for sea. We were ordered up to Sydney with despatches, but could not sail for some time after, in consequence of foul winds: at last we made a start. I could say a great deal more on this interesting country and people, and the cause and mature of the war; but I will waive it at present.

Your most affectionate brother,

C. KEAN.

321

BRIAN O'LINN;

OR, LUCK IS EVERYTHING.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST."

[WITH AN ILLUSTRATION BY J. LEECH.]

CHAPTER XVII.

The Doctor's story continued.

"It was late in the evening when I reached the lonely residence of Daniel O'Devereux, a dwelling which, as I believed, contained all that was dear to me on earth, Emily, and her infant boy. In the wife I idolized, and a child who had cemented a union based on love, what holy associations were united! and I pressed the lazy Fleming to urge his horse forward, that I might hold to my heart the double object of its adoration. At last I reached the villa; admitted myself by a pass-key to the garden, and approached the remote wing which its hospitable proprietor had allotted to the separate accommodation of Mrs. Devereux and her servants. It was within an hour of bedtime, and yet not a light twinkled from a window, nor was there a sound heard from within, to indicate that that portion of the building was inhabited. I tried the door; but it was carefully secured. Some change in domestic arrangements might have been probably made in my absence; and I walked round to the principal entrance of the house to ascertain the present state of O'Devereux's establishment. To the gloom of the rear, the exuberant lighting of the front formed a singular contrast, for lamps flashed from every apartment. Were they the pendants upon revelry and feasting? No; they were hurriedly borne through the chambers and corridor, and betokened alarm or confusion. I knocked; and a very pretty Flemish girl, who had been poor Emily's personal attendant, opened the door. When she recognised me, a cry of horror burst from her lips; the lamp she carried fell,-she hid her face in her hands, and, like a person blasted by some unearthly sight, flew down the corridor like a maniac.

"In God's name !" I exclaimed, "what means all this?"

"The knock, the girl's shriek, and my excited inquiry, had been overheard by an Irish priest; and the worthy man rushed out of an adjacent chamber, and in a tone of voice neither calculated to relieve alarm, nor restore confidence, he begged me to be patient. The Lord gives and he takes away. Great trials are given for great ends,' he muttered." Monk !" I exclaimed contemptuously, breaking from his feeble hold, "stay me not. There-to that chamber-I see the servants hurry. By heaven! I'll know the worst at once. Nay, do not stop me. Before half a minute I'll ascertain the extent of my calamity, and find out what that apartment contains.'

"A feeble old man could ill restrain a man excited by vague and horrible apprehensions almost to madness; and, bursting from his grasp, I sprang into the apartment, and there lay the mortal remains of the fat and hospitable Irishman, laid out with all the ceremonial

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