that somewhat remote contingency depended upon my friends Tyler, or
Chambers, or others, meeting with an untimely end; but at eighteen on
ne doute de rien. So I set about thinking how I should manage to get
my outfit, in order to appear at Brussels in a manner worthy of the
aide-de-camp of the great General. As my funds were at a low ebb, I
went to Cox and Greenwood's, those staunch friends of the hard-up soldier.
Sailors may talk of the "little cherub that sits up aloft," but commend
me for liberality, kindness, and generosity, to my old friends in Craig's
Court. I there obtained 200£., which I took with me to a gambling-house
in St. James' Square, where I managed, by some wonderful accident, to
win 600£.; and, having thus obtained the sinews of war, I made numerous
purchases, amongst others two first-rate horses at Tattersall's for
a high figure, which were embarked for Ostend, along with my groom.
I had not got leave; but I thought I should get back, after the great
battle that appeared imminent, in time to mount guard at St. James's.
On a Saturday I accompanied Chambers in his carriage to Ramsgate, where
Sir Thomas Picton and Tyler had already arrived; we remained there for
the Sunday, and embarked on Monday in a vessel which had been hired
for the General and suite. On the same day we arrived at Ostend, and
put up at an hotel in the square; where I was surprised to hear the
General, in excellent French, get up a flirtation with our very pretty
waiting-maid.

Sir Thomas Picton was a stern-looking, strong-built man, about the middle
height, and considered very like the Hetman Platoff. He generally wore
a blue frock-coat, very tightly buttoned up to the throat; a very large
black silk neckcloth, showing little or no shirt-collar; dark trousers,
boots, and a round hat: it was in this very dress that he was attired
at Quatre Bras, as he had hurried off to the scene of action before
his uniform arrived. After sleeping at Ostend, the General and Tyler