Oliver was an artist, and a complete enthusiast in Italian scenery, and still more so in Italian women; every moment stolen from duty was devoted to the pencil, and many of his warmly tinted sketches, done in a masterly manner, are at this moment in my portfolio. I have often admired his coolness, when, under a heavy fire, he has seated himself to sketch the enemy’s position, a striking ruin, a fallen column, or piece of ancient sculpture, from which his sword had scraped the moss. "Behold a portrait of our friend of the Campagna di Morti," said he, displaying his drawing. "I saw the rogue seated by the fountain, and admiring his picturesque costume, and his striking countenance, with well-knit brows, the eyes deep set in the head, and having that determined scowl which is esteemed so classic, I gave the fellow a ducat to sit; so here you have his features fairly done in crayon." "The scoundrel! they are those of Navarro, the Italian engineer, who deserted to the French after assassinating the Maltese knight in mistake for me. He is no doubt employed by Massena as a spy upon us. By Heaven, Lascelles, if I had the rascal here I think I could pistol him this instant!" "That would make a spirited sketch too: but he cannot be far off, and Gask with his party will probably capture him." I resolved to hold a drumhead court-martial on him the moment he fell into our hands, and promised twenty guineas to his capturer. But we saw him no more: for a time at least; and, to prevent such attempts in future, I placed a sentinel at the fountain, which after a time became purified. Macnesia’s skill saved the twenty soldiers, who were brought almost to the brink of the grave: they had all narrowly escaped death; as a quantity of acquetta was found in the water when Macnesia analyzed it. To expatiate on the happiness I enjoyed at Scylla would be too common-place; and I have a great press of other matter to relate. Rumours of Massena’s advance from Cassano, and the retreat and dispersion of the chiefs of the Masse, spread dismay through all the Lower Province, and roused us from our short dream of pleasure. All families of rank again returned to Palermo; but a few spirited cavaliers retired to the savage fastnesses of the hills, where the brave Paesani and wild banditti made common cause against the invader. The arrival of a detachment of the Royal Artillery, brought from Messina by the _Delight_, and a despatch from Major-General Sherbrooke, directing me to "defend Scylla while one stone stood upon another," caused me to make the most strenuous preparations for a vigorous resistance; being anxious to render myself worthy of the important trust reposed in me—the defence of the key of the Italian Peninsula.