England on sick leave, having nearly fallen a victim to the pestilential
effects of the climate, and an immediate embarkation being pronounced
his only chance of recovery. His first cousin, Lieutenant Henry Brock,
of the 13th foot, who was ill at the same time at Jamaica, died of the
fever; and the survivor always thought that he was indebted for his life
to the affectionate attentions of his servant, Dobson, whom he
subsequently ever treated with the kindness of a brother, until he died
in his service shortly before himself, in Canada. The mention of the
following trait of great determination of character may serve as a guide
to other young officers, similarly circumstanced. When Captain Brock
joined the 49th, the peace of the regiment was disturbed by one of those
vile pests of society--a confirmed duellist. Captain Brock soon proved
to his brother captain, who took advantage of being a dead shot, that he
was neither to be bullied nor intimidated, and the consequence was a
challenge from the latter, which was promptly accepted. On the ground,
Captain Brock, who was very tall and athletic, observed that to stand at
twelve paces was not to meet his antagonist on any thing like equal
terms, and, producing a handkerchief, insisted on firing across it. This
the duellist positively declined, and being in consequence soon after
compelled to leave the regiment, the officers were thus relieved, by the
firm and resolute conduct of a very young man, of the presence of one
with whom all social intercourse had previously been difficult and
dangerous. On his return from Jamaica, Captain Brock was employed on the
recruiting service in England, and afterwards in charge of a number of
recruits at Jersey. On the 24th June, 1795, he purchased his majority,
and remained in command of the recruits until the return of the regiment
to England the following year. On the 25th of October, 1797, just after
he had completed his twenty-eighth year, Major Brock purchased his
lieutenant-colonelcy, and soon after became senior lieut.-colonel of the
49th. This was very rapid promotion for one who had not only entered the