twelve Highlanders, under Lieutenant David Stewart, penetrated the woods at nine o'clock in the evening, with short swords to cut their way through the underwood, to discover the post or camp from whence these nightly alarms came. After traversing the woods all night, an open spot, with a sentry, was discovered; this man fired his musket at a dog which accompanied the soldiers, and then plunged into the wood, as the serjeant rushed forward to cut him down. The soldiers were on the edge of a perpendicular precipice of great depth, at the bottom of which was seen a small valley crowded with huts, from whence issued swarms of people on hearing the report of their sentry's musket. Having made this discovery, the soldiers commenced their journey back; but, when about half way, they were assailed by a fire of musketry on both flanks, and in the rear. The Caribbees were expert climbers; every tree appeared to be manned in an instant; the wood was in a blaze, but not a man could be seen-the enemy being concealed by the thick and luxuriant foliage. As the Highlanders retreated, firing from time to time at the spot from whence the enemy's fire proceeded, the Caribbees followed with as much rapidity as if they had sprung from tree to tree like monkeys. In this manner the retreat was continued, until the men got clear of the woods."

The reduction of the island being at length completed, the five companies of the Forty-second were employed in an ineffectual attack upon Porto Rico. In 1797, from Martinique the companies returned home, and, on reaching Portsmouth, presented a clean bill of health-somewhat extraordinary in the

circumstances, yet silently but unmistakeably testifying to the good conduct of the corps, and the completeness of its economy. In 1798 the several companies were united at Gibraltar, whence the regiment proceeded, with other troops, under Lieut.-General the Honourable Sir Charles Stewart, against the Spanish island of Minorca, which, with its capital, Ciudadella, was speedily surrendered, although the defending force exceeded in number the attacking force; the Spaniards, by the admirable dispositions of the British, being deceived as to our actual strength. This achievement was but the presage to a more glorious enterprise. The ambition of Napoleon had pictured for himself an Eastern Empire; and to work out the realisation of his dream, he had transported the veterans of Italy into Egypt, as the basis of his operations. Already had the burning sands of the dreary desert wasted the strength of this "Army of the East," and his conquering legions been arrested in their triumphal career by the stern. decrees of Nature's God, when our island-might dared to challenge the boasted "Invincibles" of France. The Fortysecond was included in the expedition which, under Sir Ralph Abercromby, was so long detained and tossed upon the treacherous waves of the Mediterranean, the slave of a cruel uncertainty as to its destination. At length the fleet cast anchor in Aboukir Bay, and despite the proud array of horse, foot, and artillery which lined the beach and manned the hills environing the bay-each of which contributed its deadliest thunder to daunt or destroy our gallant army-the British successfully effected a landing in March, 1801, gained a victory

which, apart from the honour accruing to our arms, served to revive the fainting spirit of Europe, and gave a glimpse of hope to the enthralled who had been crushed by the military tyranny of France.

Passing over the action of Mandora, we arrive at the battle of Alexandria, wherein the valour of the Royal Highlanders, associated with the Twenty-eighth regiment, has never been excelled. Posted amid the ruins of an old Roman palace, and looking down upon the classic memorials of a by-gone age, the Forty-second, on the morning of the 21st March, 1801, awaited with portentous silence the approach of the foe, who, concealed by a thick mist, advanced, purposing to surprise our position. The assault was conducted with the wonted impetuosity of the French, and the defence maintained with characteristic firmness by the British. Amid the confusion of the fight, the uncertain light of the morning, and whilst our troops were hotly engaged at all points, the famed "Invincible Legion" of Napoleon crept silently and unnoticed to the rear of our Highlanders, cutting the wings of the regiment asunder. A desperate and deadly fight ensued, when these redoubtable troops discovered and encountered each other. The French, entering the ruins of the palace, displayed a valour worthy the title they bore, and which, in other circumstances, might have won that better success which such heroic bravery merited as its reward. Exhausted and overpowered, with 650 fallen, the relics of the Invincibles," of whom there remained but 250, surrendered to our Highlanders. Scarce had the regiment achieved this