huſbands and fathers, who were obliged to leave them to go into the forts in defence of the country, they were left to the mercy and care of their ſlaves, to wade through rapid rivers, expoſed to the inclemency of the weather, which happened then to be rainy; and in their way to a place of ſafety, encountering ſuch difficulties as were hard to be endured by the ſex. Their diſtreſſes were truly affecting, ſeveral of them died a ſhort time after, from the fatigues they that day went through.
The militia in the town and ſuburbs of Roſeau were ſoon in the field, to the number of not more than a hundred in the whole; few of the French inhabitants aſſembling at the firſt, and thoſe that made their appearance ſoon after withdrew themſelves, and were no more ſeen, till after the iſland was ſurrendered. The militia were diſtributed among the different forts in and above the town; where,
