And bid you wake and rise to fight and win."

But Brock's position was no sinecure. The regiment was in a badly
demoralized condition. The laxity of the late commanding officer had
created a deplorable state of things. To restore the lost _morale_ of
the corps was his first duty. The thoroughness of his reforms can be
best understood by quoting the words of the Duke of York, who declared
that "out of one of the worst regiments in the service Colonel Brock had
made the 49th one of the best."

From the Commander-in-Chief of a nation's army to a colonel--not yet
thirty--of a marching regiment, this was an exceptional tribute.

Isaac's persistent endeavours were rapidly bringing their own reward.

[Illustration: NAVY HALL, REMNANT OF THE OLD "RED BARRACKS,"
NIAGARA, 1797]




CHAPTER IV.

EGMONT-OP-ZEE AND COPENHAGEN.


Meanwhile the war cloud in Europe was growing apace. Holland had been
forced into an alliance with France. War, no longer a spectre, but a
grim monster, stalked the Continent. Everywhere the hostile arts of
Bonaparte were rousing the nations. The breezes that had stirred the