Gordons and Smiths at Minmore, Auchorachan, and Upper Drumin in Glenlivet

38
neighbourhood, but their shot fell short. The return of
the Magnificent, with two hundred men of the Royals,
under command of Major Paxley, now determined the
Governor to attempt to storm the fortress. The 68th
Regiment was 500 strong, and commanded by Majors
bcott and Hamilton ; the marines were 150 ; detachment
of Royals, 200 ; the St George's Militia and other com-
panies, about 400— in all 1300 men, whilst the mutineers
did not exceed 450.
Major Hamilton volunteered to head the attack, and
Captain Blakeney, and other officers, followed his ex-
ample in pressing to be entrusted with commands. The
arrangements had been completed, and the assault was
to be made the same night, when a flag of truce was
perceived coming from the garrison. On its arrival,
Lieutenant Alexander Cameron, of the 8th West India
Regiment [who died, a victim to the climate, at Prince
Rupert's several years after], proposed terms of surren-
der. Aware of their danger, the mutineers offered to
throw themselves on the mercy of the Governor, stipu-
lating only that the lives of the whole regiment should
be saved. This Governor Johnstone peremptorily re-
fused ; but he urged Lieutenant Cameron to remain, and
not again to put himself in the power of the mutineers.
The lieutenant's reply was heroic, as it was impressive.
"Never will I consent to save my own life at the certain
expense of that of my brother officers, still in their power
— I promised to return ; and, whether life or death shall
await me, I must go back." The noble self-devotion of
this brave officer, and the state in which he appeared
amongst his fellow-soldiers, inspired them with the de-
termination to effect his release, if spared until the hour
of assault, or to die in the attempt. He had come into
the cantonments without hat, coat, or shoes, all having
been stripped from him by the daring and blood-thirsty
men whom he had commanded only a few days before.
After some delay, it was unexpectedly agreed to by
the mutineers that the regular troops should march into
the garrison of Prince Rupert's lat five o'clock in the
evening, and that the 8th West India Regiment, drawn
up on parade, and placing themselves at the mercy of
the Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, should lay
down their arms on receiving the word of command from
the Governor.
Accordingly, at four p.m., the regular troops were
under arms, and, soon after, they began their march, with
Governor Johnstone at their head, to enter the garrison.
Several officers and privates of the militia, with all the
civilians attached to the army, followed unarmed, anx-
ious to be spectators of the approaching scene. Having
entered by the barrier gate, where the black sentinels
presented arms as they passed, the troops marched on
towards the parade ; the detachment of. Royal Artillery,