distance from the shore; the men got out of the boat, but got into deep water before they reached the beach, and the swell having increased at the time they were landing, they, along with several seamen belonging to the boat, were drowned. I knew most of them; one of them was a particular acquaintance, whose death made a strong impression on my mind. As soon as it was fully dark our brigade marched away for the Helder. There is something impressive in a march under the cloud of night, in a strange land, where we can not tell the danger we are in, and have to move forward in solemn silence. It was ordered, that no man was to speak above his breath during the march; and all orders to halt, or move forward, were given the same way. We had frequent stops, which made us, who were not in the front, often wonder what was the matter. Such a march is a service in which the mind undergoes much harassing anxiety, and the body much fatigue. Having come near to the Helder, we halted, and lay under arms, in a state of great anxiety, until daylight; several of their ships of war were then seen at anchor near the town, but they got quickly under weigh, and their whole fleet anchored in the Zuyder-sea, about 12 miles from the Helder; which was the farthest distance they could go to on account of the shallowness of the water. After waiting some time we obtained information that the enemy had evacuated the various forts and batteries about the place. We sent out small detachments, who found that it was so, and we then entered the place, and put guards in the different works. When I reflected on the dangers we had escaped, I was filled with wonder; but I soon forgot them all; and during the few days that we lay in the town of Helder, my conduct, in place of being better, was worse than ordinary.