The KING'S OWN, and Highlanders, afterwards advanced against another fortified post at _Petit Bourg_; the enemy kept about two hundred yards in front, and setting fire to the sugar canes, obliged the troops occasionally to leave the road to avoid accidents to their ammunition. Arriving at the river _Lezard_, the enemy was found strongly entrenched behind the ford; but the troops having procured two canoes, a body of men passed the river in the night, and advanced at daybreak to attack the enemy in flank, while the remainder prepared to attack the front, and the enemy instantly fled in dismay. Pursuing their adversaries to _Petit Bourg_, the KING'S OWN there encountered fortified lines, and a redoubt filled with cannon; but the regiment diverging to the right and left to gain the heights round the lines, the enemy fled from the post. Two days afterwards the lieut.-colonel of the KING'S OWN was detached with seven hundred men against _Bay Mahaut_, and he took the batteries and town, which he reduced to ashes, and rejoined the division on the following day. From Petit Bourg the KING'S OWN advanced with their division against _St. Maries_, where the enemy had collected their whole force, and had thrown up entrenchments and constructed barricades on the road; but from these works the British troops forced their opponents to retire, and also from the town; and the army entered a part of the island said to be the most rich and beautiful of any part of the West Indies. The inhabitants, being convinced of the superior bravery and discipline of the British troops, and seeing the best part of their country on the point of being given up to fire and sword, capitulated, and their possessions, with their civil and religious privileges, were granted them. Thus this valuable island came into the possession of the British crown in May, 1759; and throughout these arduous and trying services the KING'S OWN and other corps forming the expedition, evinced all the qualities of good soldiers. The commanding officer of the KING'S OWN signalized himself on various occasions, and was appointed governor of the island; his conduct, which reflected honour on his corps, is thus spoken of by Major-General Barrymore in his public despatch. "I have appointed Colonel Crump to the government, who, since governor Haldane left us, I have made act as a brigadier; his merit is very great, both as a soldier and a man of judgment; he is of this part of the world; understands the trade, customs, and genius of the people; and as he thinks nobly and disinterestedly, he would not have accepted of the government, but in hopes of advancing himself in the army by that means. I cannot express how very useful he has proved, and how much our successes are owing to his good conduct and great zeal." [Sidenote: 1760] [Sidenote: 1761]