OCR Text |
Show 186 PERSONAL ADVENTURES entire length, runs a thick wall, forming a crescent, well-1nounted with heavy guns. At the end of this crescent, between it and the front wall, is the entrance to the fort-a mere aperture, barely wide enough to allow of one man's passing in. These defences, imperfect as they were, had proved of immense advantage to the Americans during the recent siege, who had kept up, from behind them, a very destructive fire upon the enemy. In the cor1"el I found, huddled up in one corner, about thirty Yakees and Indians of Lower California, many of thern doubly-ironed, and most of then1 half naked, whilst all were dirty, and fierce even in bondage. Some marines were tnounted as a guard over them, and were engaged in animated conversation with several coarse-looking 'vornen, their paramours; the latter had sought the protection of the Americans, and distinguished tbetnselves in the recent conflicts, having endured, in common with the men, the most severe privations. The majority were weeping and sobbing; being on the point of separation frorn the objects of |