Next day I received my clothes, and in about a week more was sworn in before a magistrate, receiving my bounty at the same time. Very shortly afterwards orders came for the regiment to march to Winchester, where we remained for about a month without anything of any note occurring. I began to drill twice a day directly I joined, and soon learnt the foot drill, after which I was put on to musketry drill.
From Winchester we removed to Portsmouth, where we lay for a week, and were then ordered to Bexhill barracks in Sussex, where our First battalion was lying, and on our arrival a number of men were drafted out of our battalion, which was the Second, into the First, to make it a thousand strong, myself being one of the number. Then orders came for us to proceed to Portsmouth to embark on foreign service, our country being at the time at war with France and Spain.
Embarkation of the regiment at Portsmouth -- Lawrence's feelings at the time beginning to be rather mixed -- Heartrending partings witnessed and somewhat moralized upon by him -- A few more words of advice, this time intended for apprentices -- Ample opportunity for self-introspection afforded during the first week of the voyage -- Incidents while becalmed -- Arrival at Rio, and entertainment of the troops by the Queen of Portugal -- Monte Video -- Disembarkation and first brushes with the enemy -- Barbarity of the Spaniards -- Lawrence's feelings at last definitely uncomfortable -- Sir Samuel Auchmuty's dislike to finery in soldiers -- The town invested and subsequently stormed -- Lawrence in the forlorn hope -- Surrender of the Citadel.
We passed the night before our embarkation in the town: a night to many perhaps the bitterest they had ever experienced, but to myself, on the other hand, one mainly of joy, for I felt that I had at last outwitted my pursuers. But though I cannot say that I was yet at all repentant, it must not be thought that I felt altogether comfortable on leaving my country with all my friends and relations in it, so young as I was at the time: more especially when I considered the errand we were on, and thought that I might never return to see them again, knowing that they had not the slightest idea of where I was. I naturally felt rather timid, as all young recruits must feel on entering so soon on foreign service as I then found myself obliged to do.