Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/24

 landed about two miles to the westward of the town; thus separating us from the officers of the schooner, consisting of Lieutenant M'Kenzie of the Maidstone, passenger, and six midshipmen, (Lieutenant Lempriere, the commander of the schooner, having been drowned in the roads, by the upsetting of a boat). Our separation from these officers, was caused by our conduct at the mock court of inquiry; we were told that we did not deserve to be treated like our comrades, and therefore were sent with the men. On landing, we were received by a captain's guard of infantry, who very uncourteously pushed us indiscriminately into ranks, and, forming themselves in file on each side, waited only the order to march, which was soon announced by a brace of dismal drums at the head of the escort, previous notice being given, through the medium of the interpreter, that the first who dared to wander from the ranks, would be shot. It was really ludicrous to witness the parade of triumph evinced by our commanding officer, and the readiness