During the time the British were aiding the Continentals, they were themselves on the defensive, protecting their interests in India, against the ill-feeling of its petty princes. It became known that the Prince of Mysore-Tippoo Saib-was intriguing with the French in the Mauritius (Isle of France) for the purpose of obtaining their assistance in expelling the British from India; and to thwart this project it became urgently necessary that the force in India should be augmented with as little delay as possible. Seringapatam was the fortress of Mysore, and the residence of its savage ruler, Tippoo. Lord Mornington, the GovernorGeneral, determined to anticipate any hostile operations, and dispatched a force against this place. One of the divisions was under the command of his Lordship's brother, Colonel Wellesley. An action took place, and Tippoo and the Mysoreans were defeated. The place was invested, an assault on its citadel made, and Tippoo was killed.* This capture of Seringapatam, and the death of its governor put a complete extinguisher on the prospects of the French in that quarter; but they still continued in alliance with other powerful chieftains in the north and west of India. At this time a French army, with Bonaparte at its head, arrived in Egypt, preparatory to a movement on India. To drive this force out of Egypt was next determined on by the British ministry. The comparative failures hitherto experienced in Holland had not impaired the confidence of the country in its soldiers, or in the skill of its leaders. Sir Ralph Abercromby proceeded with a force of 12,000 men, arriving at Aboukir in March 1801. Bonaparte had, meanwhile, departed to look after his personal interests in France, leaving the command with General Menou. The British fleet had scarcely appeared in the bay ere Menou was prepared for resistance. This demonstration, however, did not daunt the former from attempting to leave their ships. To land in the face of an opposing army was a task of great hazard. A murderous fire galled them as they approached the beach. The men nevertheless landed, forming in order as best they could, bravely charged, and drove back the enemy, with great gallantry. The French retired and entrenched themselves in the vicinity of Alexandria. Abercromby followed him. Generals Hutchinson and Moore ably assisted. The French commenced the attack on the night of the 20th. The 42d Highlanders, who displayed their accustomed valour, were the first encountered. The commander was in their midst encouraging them, and it was on that occasion that he, with such effect, reminded them of "their ancestors." As day dawned a numerous body of cavalry bore down again on the shattered ranks of the Black Watch. Simultaneously with this, the brigade, of which Colonel Cameron and the 79th formed part, met dense swarms of the enemy's riflemen, with whom a contest lasted, more or less, throughout the day (21st). Their ammunition had been expended, and charges with the bayonet were their only recourse. The enemy, despairing of success, collected his scattered columns, and withdrew to his original position. The British then, laying siege to Alexandria, closely invested it, and in a few days it surrendered. Thus ended a short but arduous campaign. The result being, the total and rapid expulsion of the French army from Egypt. The four Highland * The name of Sir David Baird will ever be honourably associated with the storming of Seringapatam and the death of Tippoo Saib. regiments (42d, 79th, 90th, and 92d) gained imperishable honour in this campaign, and so also did their comrades, the Welsh Fusiliers, the 50th, and 28th (the Slashers). The latter regiment was attacked before and behind; the rear faced about and fought valiantly in this double position, and for this act of splendid discipline they are honoured by being allowed to wear their number on the back as well as on the front of their regimental caps. The Egyptian campaign was fatal to few of Colonel Cameron's regiment; but he was badly wounded, and the largest number of his men were wounded more or less severely. (1o be Continued). OBAN'S BONNIE BA Y. O'er Morven's blue mountains the gloaming is falling, When wantonly wand'ring by Oban's sweet bay: Loved Oban's bonnie bay, There's no a spot in all the west Low murm'ring the breeze o'er Dunolly is sweeping, Rocked gently, flow'rs joyously close their bright eyes, Night shadows in beauty of darkness are trailing, SUNDERLAND. WM. ALLAN. MARVELLOUS ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN M'ARTHUR OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDERS OF CAROLINA. UPON the defeat of the Royal forces in Carolina, related in a previous article, Captain M'Arthur of the Highland Regiment of Volunteers, was apprehended and committed to the county jail in the town of Cross-Creek. But the gallant officer determined to make a death grasp for effecting his escape; and happily for him the walls of his confinement were not of stone and mortar. In his lonely prison, awaiting his fate, and with horrid visions of death haunting him, he summons up his muscular strength and courage, and with incredible exertion he broke through the jail by night, and once more enjoyed the sweets of liberty. Having thus made his escape he soon found his way to the fair partner of his joys and sorrows. It needs hardly be said that her astonishment was only equalled by her raptures of joy. She, in fact, became so overpowered with the unexpected sight that she was for the moment quite overcome, and unable to comply with the proposal of taking an immediate flight from the enemy's country. She soon, however, regains her sober senses, and is quite able to grasp the reality of the situation, and fully prepared with mental nerve and courage to face the scenes of hardship and fatigue which lay before them. The thought of flight was, indeed, a hazardous one. The journey to the sea board was far and dangerous; roads were miserably constructed, and these, for the most part, had to be avoided; unbroken forests, immense swamps, and muddy creeks were almost impassable barriers; human habitations were few and far between, and these few could scarcely be looked to as hospitable asylums; enemies would be on the look out for the recapture of the "Old Tory," for whose head a tempting reward had been offered; and withal, the care of a tender infant lay heavy upon the parental hearts, and tended to impede their flight. Having this sea of troubles looming before them, the imminent dangers besetting their path, you can estimate the heroism of a woman who was prepared to brave them all. But when you further bear in mind that she had been bred in the ease and delicate refinements of a lairdly circle at home, you can at once conceive the hardships to be encountered vastly augumented, and the moral heriosm necessary for such an undertaking to be almost incredible, finding its parallel only in the life of her famous countrywoman, the immortal "Flora." Still, life is dear, and a desperate attempt must be made to preserve it—she is ready for any proposal. So off they start at the dead hour of midnight, taking nothing but the scantiest supply of provisions, of which our heroine must be the bearer, while the hardy šire took his infant charge in his folded plaid over one shoulder, with the indispensable musket slung over the other. Thus equipped for the march, they trudge over the heavy sand, leaving the scattered town of Cross-Creek behind in the distance, and soon find themselves lost to all human vision in the midst of the dense forest. There is not a moment to lose; and onward they speed under cover of night for miles and miles, and for a time keeping the main road to the coast. Daylight at length lightened their path, and bright sunrays are pouring through the forest. But that which had lightened the path of the weary fugitives had, at the same time, made wonderful disclosures behind. The morning light had revealed to the astonished gaze of the keeper of the prison the flight of his captive. The consternation among the officials is easily imagined. A detachment of cavalry was speedily dispatched in pursuit; a handsome reward was offered for the absconded rebel, and a most barbarous punishment was in reserve for him in the event of his being captured. With a knowledge of these facts, it will not be matter of surprise that the straits and perplexities of a released captive had already commenced. Who can fancy their terror when the noise of cavalry in the distance admonished them that the enemy was already in hot pursuit, and had taken the right scent. What could they do? Whither could they fly? They dart off the road in an instant and began a race. But alas, of what use, for the tall pines of the forest could afford no shelter or concealment before the pursuers could reach the spot. In their extremity they change their course, running almost in the face of the foe. They rush into the under brush covert of a gum pond which crossed the road close by, and there, in terrible suspense, awaited their fate, up to the knees in water. In a few moments the equestrians, in full gallop, are within a gunshot of them. But on reaching the pond they slackened their speed, and all at once came to a dead halt! Had they already discovered their prey? In an instant their fears were relieved on this score. From their marshy lair they were able, imperfectly, to espy the foe, and they saw that the cause of halting was simply to water their panting steeds. They could also make out to hear the enemy's voice, and so far as they could gather, the subject was enough to inspire them with terror, for the escaped prisoner was evidently the exciting topic. Who could mistake the meaning of such detached phrases and epithets as these -"Daring fellow," "Scotch dog," "British ship," and "Steel fix him." And who can realize the internal emotion of him whom they immediately and unmistakably concerned? But the fates being propitious, the posse of cavalry resumed their course, first in a slow pace, and afterwards in a lively canter, until they were out of sight and out of hearing. This hair-breadth escape admonished our hero that he must shift his course and avoid the usual route of communication with the coast. The thought struck him, that he would direct his course towards the Cape Fear River, which lay some ten miles to the right; feeling confident, at the same time, that his knowledge of the water in early days could now be made available, if he could only find something in the shape of a boat. And, besides, he saw to his dismay that his fair partner in travel, however ardent in spirit, could not possibly hold out under the hardships incident to the long journey at first meditated. For the Cape Fear River then they set off; and after a wearisome march, through swamp and marsh, brush and brier, to the great detriment of their scanty wardrobe and danger of life and limb, they reached the banks of that sluggish stream before the sun had set, foot sore and dispirited, exhausted and downcast. But what is their chance of a boat now? Alas, not even the tiniest craft could be seen. There is nothing for it but to camp in the open air all night and try to refresh their weary limbs and await to see what luck the following morn had in store. Fortunately for them the climate was warm, too much so indeed, as they had found, to their great discomfort, during the day that was now past. In their present homeless situation, however, it was rather opportune; and there was nothing to fear, unless from the effects of heavy dew, or the expected invasion of snakes and musketeers. But for these there was a counteracting remedy. The thick foliage of a stately tree afforded ample protection from dew, while a blazing fire, struck from the musket flint, defied the approach of any infesting vermin or crawling reptiles, and also answered the needed purpose of setting to rights their hosiery department which had suffered so much during the day. Here they are snug and cosy, under the arching canopy, which nature had provided, and prepared to do fair justice to the scanty viands and refreshments in their possession, before betaking themselves to their nocturnal slumbers which nature so much craved. But can we take leave of our pilgrims for the night without taking a glance at the innocent babe as it lay upon the folded plaid in blissful ignorance of the cares and anxieties which racked the parental breast. The very thought of its sweet face and throbbing little heart as it breathed in unconscious repose under the open canopy of heaven, was enough to entwine a thousand new chords of affection around the heart of its keepers, like the clasping ivy around the tree which gave them shelter, and to nerve them anew, for its sake, for the rough and perilous journey upon which they had entered. The fond mother imprints a kiss upon its cheek, and moistens it with tears of mingled joy and grief, and clasping it to her bosom is instantly absorbed in the sweet embrace of Morpheus. The hardy sire, it was agreed, would keep the first watch and take his rest in turn, the latter part of the night. He is now virtually alone, in deep and pensive meditation. He surveys with tender solicitude his precious charge, which was dearer to him than his own life, and for whose sake he would risk ten lives. He paces the sward during the night watches. He meditates his plans for the following day. He deliberates and schemes how he can take advantage of the flowing sheet of water before him, for the more easy conveyance of his precious belongings. The mode of travel hitherto adopted, he saw, to be simply impossible. The delay involved might be ruinous to his hopes. With these cogitations he sat down, without bringing any plan to maturity. He gazed at the burning embers as if in a reverie, and as he gazed he thought he had seen, either by actual vision or by "the second sight," in which he was a firm believer, the form of a canoe with a single sable steersman coming to his rescue. He felt tempted to communicate the vision to his sleeping partner; but, thinking it unkind to disturb her slumbers, he desists from his resolution, reclines on the ground, and without intending it, he falls fast asleep. But imagine his astonishment and alarm when he came to consciousness, to find that he had slept for three full hours without interruption. He could hardly realize it, the interval seemed like an instant. However, all was well; his wife and babe were still enjoying unbroken rest, and no foe had discovered their retreat; and withal, the gladsome light of day is now breaking in around them and eclipsing the glare of the smouldering embers. Up starts our hero much refreshed and invigorated, and exult Р |