"Oh, Muster Hurry, don't yer think the captain would let us go ashore, and give them chaps the drubbing they deserves?" asked Tom Rockets as I passed, doubling his fists while he spoke. "I'd like to give them a hiding." "Never mind them, lads," said old Grampus, turning his back to the shore, and looking over his shoulder at the foe with a glance of supreme contempt. "They knows no better; and fancies because we don't hit we can't. Poor fellows! I pities them, that I do. They bees little better than savinges, only they wants the paint and feathers." I felt very much as Nol said he did; but I suspect that his anger was rather more excited than he chose to confess. The truth was that these were mostly raw militia regiments, who had seen little or nothing of warfare, and from the previous occurrences of the war had been taught to look with contempt on British prowess. The regulars in most instances behaved admirably, and nothing could surpass the bravery of the officers of all ranks. This their greatest enemies could not deny; but the militia were of a very different stamp, and the men, unable to depend on each other or their officers, on several occasions fairly turned tail and ran away. I fancy that most of our opponents on the present occasion were of that class. We stood on till we reached a spot about fifty yards from the enemy's entrenchments, a little below Blackwell's Island, where the squadron dropped their anchors, and calmly furled sails. There we lay for some time without exchanging a shot, expecting, however, that some hot work was about to be commenced. The glasses of the officers were in the meantime constantly turned towards the small islets in the direction of Long Island. At length Captain Hudson uttered an exclamation of satisfaction. "They come! they come!" he cried out, and as he spoke a flotilla of boats were seen emerging from among the tree-covered shores of Bushwick Creek. They formed the first division of flat-bottomed boats, having on board a force of 4500 men, under the immediate command of General Howe. Slowly and steadily they advanced, like some huge black monsters covering the blue surface of the tranquil and hitherto peaceful Sound. The drum now beat to quarters. "Now my boys, if so be you want to punish them poor savinges as has been beguiling you, your time's soon coming," growled out old Nol, as the crew were hurrying with alacrity to their guns.