Page:The History of the Island of Dominica.djvu/134

It is worth while noticing here, the ceremonies ufed on this occaſion, as it is to be hoped they may never again happen in Dominica. The French troops marched into the town in moſt regular and ſolemn order, the drums beating a ſlow march, and the French ſoldiers, with ſmall boughs and flowers in their hats by way of laurels, with aſſumed fierce countenances as they came by our ſmall force, ſeemed to threaten it with inſtant diſſolution. The Engliſh ſoldiers and inhabitants, with two field pieces in their front, and lighted matches, their muſkets grounded, and ſtanding in two diviſions, the regulars on the right, the militia on the left. The latter were permitted to take up their arms, and to retire with them to their houfes, amidſt an almoſt lawleſs troop of ruffians, by whom they had to paſs; and who, with curſes and reproaches for being diſappointed of plundering and murdering the inhabitants, ſtill threatened them, if they were not ſatisfied. The

Engliſh