It was an object that every one in the fortress should be rendered useful in some way or other, and the boys of the company—out of sympathy for their youth—were, for some time after the commencement of the siege employed on the works at Europa quarry, then but little annoyed by the enemy’s fire. At length, inured to labour, and taught by events to expect danger, it was considered of greater advantage to occupy their time at the different batteries; and on the 15th February, 1782, the Chief Engineer directed their removal to the works and fortifications,[43] with the view of looking out for the enemy’s projectiles, and giving warning of their approach. On the 21st June following, such of the boys as were masons in the company were engaged under Mr. Hutchinson, a civil foreman, in rounding stones, agreeably to the instructions of Major Lewis of the artillery. These stones, according to Drinkwater, were “cut to fit the calibre of a 13-inch mortar, with a hole drilled in the centre, which being filled with a sufficient quantity of powder, were fired with a short fuse to burst over the enemy’s works.” It was an unusual mode of annoyance, and for its novelty was employed for some time; but not effecting the damage that was desired, it was ultimately laid aside.[44] On the failure of this experiment, the boys returned to the perilous posts assigned to them on the batteries to look out. At this duty they continued as long as the siege lasted, and doubtless, by their vigilance in its execution, they were the means of saving many valuable lives, or otherwise preventing casualty. ----- Footnote 43: Order Book—Chief Engineer’s. Footnote 44: ‘Order-Book’ (Chief Engineer’s) of 21st June, 1782; and ‘Drinkwater,’ Murray’s edit., 1846, p. 118. ----- Of the two boys who have been so favourably noticed by Drinkwater, it may not be unacceptable to devote a small space here to their brief but honourable history. Their names were Thomas Richmond[45] and John Brand; the former was known at the Rock by the familiar sobriquet of _shell_, being the better looker-out; and the latter by the name of _shot_. Richmond was trained as a carpenter; Brand as a mason. Their fathers were sergeants in the company.[46] Richmond’s was killed at the siege. As might be expected, the beneficial services of these boys at the batteries acquired for them no common celebrity and esteem. ----- Footnote 45: Not Richardson, as Drinkwater has it, p. 108. Footnote 46: Brand’s father, a mason by trade and a Perthshire man, was the first artificer enrolled in the company. -----