Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT. 241
equally exposed, revenged, with all the fury of
an ancient Gael, the death of this accomplished
officer ; he set every man in the little fort to
work, and himself assisting with his coat off,
poured an incessant shower of shot on the enemy
as long as he had a man able to stand to a gun.
Their fire was so rapid, so capitally directed, that
the French were silent for the next twenty-four
hours. Their embrazures had been battered in,
and many of their guns dismounted. This was
the gallant Gael's last act as commandant. That
the place was utterly untenable was long believed ;
and had Major Le Fevre lived to make his
report, the garrison would probably have been
withdrawn that night, but the indomitable Scot
scorned to be the first to make such an announce-
ment, while his own and the existence of this
little garrison hung by a mere thread. Every
spot on which officer or soldier could rest his
head for sleep or shelter had been destroyed ;
and when, exhausted and sinking under the
weight of constant labour, the brave defenders
threw themselves on the flinty platform to snatch
a few moments repose, many, while indulging
in the restless dreams of the world, never arose
to taste either its joys or its dangers.
Having performed all that the most unflinch-
ing courage and professional zeal could effect,
and endured all that human nature was capable
of bearing, the gallant Maclaine and his brave
handful of heroes were withdrawn by the boats
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