the time, as we got our own fill, while we broke the biscuit-a thing I had not got for some days. When thus engaged, the prodigal son never once was out of my mind; and I sighed, as I fed the dogs, over my humble situation and ruined hopes.

As we followed the army, Colonel Cadogan made us halt in a plain upon ploughed land, where he began to drill us. We were wet and weary, and like to faint with hunger. The ground was so soft from the rain, we could scarce keep the step. The French were coming down from the heights. "Now," says he, "there they are; if you are not quicker in your movements, I will leave you every one to them." At this moment, General Hill's aid-de-camp rode up, saying, "Move on, and cover the brigade of artillery, by the Ge neral's order, or you will be all prisoners in five minutes. We immediately left off drill, and marched on, until dark, under a heavy rain, and over miserable roads; one shoe in our hand, the other on our knapsack.

As we entered a wood, we were agreeably annoyed by the grunting of hogs and squeaking of pigs. "There is a town here," says my comrade. We all longed for "pile arms. At length the word was given, and cooks ordered to cut wood. More cooks than one turned out of each mess, and went in different directions in search of forage. All this time the whole wood resounded with the reports of muskets. It resembled a wood contested by the enemy. At length our cooks returned, one with a pig, another with a skin of wine, or with flour; and we made a hearty supper, and lay down happy and contented.

Next morning we continued the line of march,

our square.

and many

under a heavy rain; the horses were scarce able to drag the cannon through the mud. We marched thus, about eight miles, and halted at a village, where we encamped, and cooked the remains of our pork. Every one was engaged cooking or cutting wood, when the French made their appearance on the opposite heights. The bugle sounded to fall in; immediately we formed square, to receive cavalry. They galloped down close to We had not time to load our pieces; of us were only half accoutred, they had come so quick upon us. Many of them were very much in liquor: three or four galloped into the centre of our square; we opened to receive them. A brigade of guns coming to our relief, they put to the right about, and fled. We stood under arms for some time. A brigade of French infantry was drawn up on the opposite heights. It being only their advanced guard, Lord Wellington gave orders to pile arms, but to remain accoutred. We stood in this position, the rain pouring upon us, until we were forced to lie down, through fatigue.

Day at length appearing, we got orders to move on, after the army, in sections; the enemy having retired through the night. We had not moved thus two miles, until the French advance came down upon us, picking up every individual who fell out. The cries of the women and children were dreadful, as we left them. We were retiring in square, playing a howitzer from the centre, to keep their cavalry in check. We continued to move on, in this manner, sending out the left company to fire and retire. The rain poured; the roads were knee-deep; when one

had to stop, all were obliged to stop. Each of the enemy's cavalry had a foot soldier behind him, who formed when they came close. When we were halted, and advanced to charge, they mounted and retired.

At length we forded the Aguida, and encamped on the opposite side. Rear-guards and quarterguards were immediately sent out, and picquets planted. We were not an hour and a half encamped, when a dreadful firing commenced on our left. We were all under arms in a moment. The firing continued very severe, for the space of two hours. We then piled arms, and began to cut wood, to lay under us, that the water might run below, as the rain continued to pour in torrents. We might as well have lain in the river. We were up an hour before day, and wrung out our blankets, emptied our shoes of the water, each man trembling like the leaf of a tree. followed the line of march for about four leagues, and encamped in a plain, expecting to be attacked every moment. The French did not advance this night.

We

Next night we were marched into a town. Sergeants were called out for quarters; and we were put in by sections, into the best quarters they could find. This town we called the reeky town; it was the most smoky place I ever was in. The sergeants got two months' pay for each man; every one had a little. Canteens were immediately in requisition; wine and accadent were the only words you could hear. Three dollars for wine, and one for accadent, made a joyful night, and a merry mess. We had no care; the song went round: we were as merry as if we had not

suffered in our retreat. The recollection of our wants made our present enjoyments doubly dear, Next morning we did the best we could to clean ourselves; but we made a very shabby figure. Our haversacks were black with grease; we could not get the marks of the pork out all we could do.

Here we remained eight days; then marched to Porto Banyes, where we received a draft of 150 men from England, and staid about eight days; then marched to Monte Moso. We got here a new kitt. Before this, we were completely in rags; and it used to be our daily labour to pick the vermin off ourselves. We were quartered in the villages, until Colonel Cadogan arrived from England, who inspected and reviewed us in our new clothes. We looked very well. The Colonel told us we were as fat as fowls.

During the time the 50th were in Boho, the French made an attempt to surprise it. We were marched up to it, at double-quick time. We ran up hill for four miles, and were formed in the town, and marched up to the walls, making as great a show as possible. The French stood in column, on the opposite side of the town. had picquets of the 50th posted on the outside. Boho being a town of great trade, the French hoped to get a supply of clothing; but finding they could not succeed, they retired, and we went back to our old cantonments.

We

In a few days we relieved the 50th, and marched into Boho; at which place we remained all winter, and until the month of May 1813, when the campaign commenced.

I got a most excellent billet; every thing was in plenty; fruit in abundance. I was regarded as a son of the family; partook with them at meals ; and if any thing was better than another, my part was in it. I amused myself, when off duty, in teaching the children to read; for which my hosts thought they never could be grateful enough.

I have often thought the Spaniards resembled the Scots, in their manner of treating their children. How has my heart warmed, when I have seen the father, with his wife by his side, and the children round them, repeating the Lord's prayer and the 23d Psalm at evening before they went to bed! Once a week, the children were catechised. When I told them they did the same in Scotland, they looked at me with astonishment, and asked, "If heretics did so?" The priests often drew comparisons much to our disadvantage, from the conduct of our men. They even said, every heretic in England was as bad as them.

One afternoon, I had walked into the churchyard; and, after having wandered through it, I lay down in the shade of the wall, near a grave that appeared to have been lately made. While lying thus, I heard a sob: I looked towards the place whence it came, and perceived a beautiful female kneeling beside a grave, devoutly counting her rosary, her tears falling fast upon the ground. I lay, afraid to move, lest the noise might disturb her. She remained for some time, absorbed in devotion, then rose from her knees, and taking a small jar of holy water, sprinkled the grave, and retired undisturbed by me. I mentioned the circumstance to no one; but, day after day, I was