Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp: Late a Lieut. in His Majesty's 87th Regiment — John Shaqi
Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp: Late a Lieut. in His Majesty's 87th RegimentShipp, John
History
Memoirs of the Extraordinary Military Career of John Shipp: Late a Lieut. in His Majesty's 87th Regiment
Shipp, John
India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947 -- Biography; Shipp, John, 1784-1834
well halt too. Here I had the satisfaction of hearing my master swear
roundly, that he would kill me when he caught me. "Thank God," thought I
to myself, "you have not got me yet." The moment my persecutor rode on,
I cut across a field, and again gained the head of the corps of Royal
Horse Artillery, who were at this time just entering the suburbs of the
village. Here I dared not venture to follow them any farther, until my
master's hurricane had blown over; so I mounted a gate, where my heart
yearned after them, as that of a wounded soldier does after his corps in
the battle's heat. Here I again set my wits to work how to elude the
chastisement I was sure to receive from the infuriated man of clods. The
regiment which I had seen was, I had ascertained, on its march to
Yarmouth, to embark for foreign service; and, from the condescending
manner of the colonel (who returned my salute), I made no doubt whatever
that he would be glad to take me for a soldier. Full of these thoughts,
I loitered about all day, but dared not venture in, until, at length, my
interior began to express wants respecting which I had not before
reflected. These demands were of a nature not to be drilled into
obedience; so, at last, overcome by fatigue and inanition, in I marched,
having first seen my master march out. My mistress, who was ever ready
to act the part of a kind mother towards me, soon provided me with a
substantial meal. I was not long in doing justice to the repast thus
kindly set before me; and, having effectually satisfied my appetite for
the time present, I took the precaution of lining my pockets with a
large hunch of bread and cheese, to subsist on the following day, when I
intended to be in light marching order to follow the soldiers. Having
thus prudently provided in some degree for the future, I betook myself
to my usual occupations; but I had not commenced work more than five
minutes, when I espied my master reconnoitring me from behind a hedge.
Presently he crossed a stile with a large whip in his hand; and I could
discern, from his artful movements, that it was his intention to come
upon me unperceived. Now and then, in order that my fears might not be
excited, he would stoop down and pull a turnip; but I was too good a
soldier myself to be out-generalled in this manner. I stood from my
work, the better to observe the enemy's movements, and kept my eye upon
the fugleman. At last, I saw him make preparations to arrange his whip;
so I immediately arranged my legs for a start. "Every step that he now
takes," thought I to myself, "is a step nearer to my back; whereas, now
that I have ten yards' start, there is still a chance for me." My master
perceived that I was ready for a bolt, and soon broke from slow time
into quick, and from quick to double quick, which put me to the charge,
my master following me--swearing, threatening, and roaring out, "Stop
him! stop him!" a second time. I turned round to look who was likely to
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