Page:The Hessians and the other German auxiliaries of Great Britain in the revolutionary war.djvu/229

 Rh were found crouching close under the parapet, where the balls would go over their heads. The poor fellows could not fight without support, and feared to run away. They were taken into the fort. Among the party that came out to repair the abatis was Captain du Plessis. To him the wounded Donop called out: “Whoever you may be, take me from here.” Du Plessis had the colonel carried into the fort. As he was brought in, some of the American soldiers, “either not knowing that his wound was mortal, or heated with the battle, and still irritated by the threats made to them a few hours before, could not help saying aloud: ‘Well! is it settled that no quarter is to be given?’ ‘I am in your hands,’ answered the colonel, ‘you can avenge yourselves?’ ” Du Plessis had no difficulty in silencing the soldiers, and then gave all his attention to the wounded man. “Sir,” said the latter, “you appear to be a stranger; who are you?” “A French officer,” answered du Plessis. “I am content,” said Donop, in French, “I die in the arms of honor.”

The Hessian colonel lived three days after the at- tack, and often conversed with du Plessis. He begged the latter to warn him when death should be near. Du Plessis complied with his request. “It is an early end to a fair career,” said Donop, “but I die the victim of my ambition and of the avarice of my sovereign.” The number of Hessians killed, wounded, and taken