[69] This gentleman, after having enjoyed a lucrative post, was unwilling to lose the fruits of it, and, instead of rendering any assistance to General Prescott, he took French leave, not forgetting to carry with him a chest well lined, in order to render his residence at Antigua comfortable. [70] The republican officer who came with him informed us that he saw the execution of the unfortunate royalists, and that twenty-seven heads were struck off in seven minutes and a half! [71] On the 19th of October the Admiral sent Lieutenant Skynner with a party of seamen to a battery at the N. W. end of the town, from whence he brought off some cannon and mortars. [72] On the 2d of November, Captain Miller was promoted to the command of the Vanguard, Captain Sawyer being removed to the Assurance, vice Captain Bryer, deceased; and Lieutenant Launcelot Skynner of the Boyne, was appointed commander of the Experiment, vice Captain Miller. [73] Fort Matilda, formerly Fort Charles, was at first a battery only, erected to command the road; afterwards it was enclosed as a depot for arms and ammunition in case of insurrection among the slaves; and during the last war the French added to its outworks, which were now totally in ruins, but served the enemy, particularly those on the opposite side of the Galion river, as trenches, and effectually covered their musketry that commanded the principal works of the besieged: in short, the fort was completely commanded on the three sides by land, so that not a man in it could move without being seen by the enemy. * * * * *