‘I say, my friend, is this the way to Belem?’ ‘_Senhor_,’ with shoulders shrugged, _‘no, no, intende_.’[5] ‘No, in ten day! if I go there,’ says John, ‘the Devil mend me.’ A British Soldier, who was near at hand Said, ‘Sir, our Lingo he don’t understand: ‘’Tis but three Miles, strait forward if you please, ‘There’s no use axing them there Portuguese.’ John travell’d on--but soon he slack’d his pace, The scorching Sun came full upon his face. ‘O d----n their Climate, here’s a pretty rig,-- ‘Curse me if I’m not sweating like a Pig. ‘Could I but once get home, they soon should see, ‘The Devil might have all Portugal for me.’ Grumbling and Mopping, John at length contrives, And at the Belem Barracks[6] he arrives. But Johnny’s spirit now was softened down, He tremulously ask’d for Captain Brown; Announc’d himself once more, and begg’d to know What were his Orders? where was he to go? The Commandant observing John was heated, Mildly requested that ‘he would be seated.’ John’s spirits had been sinking in the wane, But thus encouraged soon revived again. ‘Why really, Sir, this service in the Line, ‘At home we reckon to be monstrous fine; ‘But since I was Gazetted, I’ll declare ‘A single moment I’ve not had to spare.’ The Captain smil’d to see poor John so sore, And kindly said, ‘You’ll dine with me at four: ‘In the mean time, as things to you are new, ‘The Adjutant will tell you what to do. ‘Here, Orderly! step to the barrack-yard, ‘And say I wish to speak with Mr. Ward. ‘But cool yourself, and then your Billet seek; ‘I mean to keep you here at least a Week.’ John’s heart was soft--thus taken by surprize, He felt a sort of twinkling in his eyes; He falter’d, stammer’d, felt himself distrest, In vain his gratitude would have exprest; When busy, bustling Ward attends his chief, Broke up the conference, to John’s relief. Ward introduced, did Johnny kindly greet (His was a heart we do not often meet); Now arm in arm, they travell’d down the Stairs, John found his spirits, and forgot his cares. Tho’ truly kind was Ward, yet be it known He was himself a Sub in the King’s Own. A Billet[7] got, the Serjeant mark’d the Door, They took a Boat, and brought the Trunks on Shore. ‘So now,’ says Ward, ‘I always work by rule, ‘The first thing you must purchase is a Mule; ‘And if you’re flush of cash, why then, of course, ‘The next thing you must purchase is a Horse.’ ‘A Servant have you got?’ John answered, ‘No.’ ‘Well, well,’ says Ward, ‘there’s one I think I know; ‘An honest fellow, who ’twixt you and me, ‘Is just the sort of Man, you will agree. ‘A D----n’d good Fellow, but I rather think, ‘He now, and then, will take a drop of drink; ‘But otherwise, good-humour’d, sharp, and civil, ‘John Bull will drink, but fight like any Devil;-- ‘Paddy, and Sawney Scot are just the same-- ‘Here, Serjeant, tell me what’s the Fellow’s name?