SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 113 



was the appointed hour. I returned to my lodgings: but must observe, lliat 

 on my way, I happened to meet with a friend, a Lieutenant Essel, of the 

 »avy ; who with the greatest frankness communicated to me his intention to 

 quit France, and that he should like very much if I would accompany him ; 

 I declined giving him a direct answer at that moment; and could not help 

 suspecting, that he was aware of what we had in contemplation : however, 

 his not mentioning the other two, gave me hopes. I quit'ted him, waited on 

 my comrades, and informed them of the conversation that had passed. They 

 agreed, provided he was not in debt, and quitted the town in an honorable 

 manner, that they had no objection to his being of our party. He gave us 

 every assurance of what we asked, as also that he had been deprived of his 

 passports, that he had settled all his affairs, and that he had £50. sterling to 

 proceed with. 



At 11, we came to the appointed spot; but found, though late, that the sen- 

 tinels were on the alert, and a number of people was passing and repassing; 

 which made us put it off until the following night. We took different routes, 

 and returned to our respective places for the night ; inspired with the greatest 

 desire of revisiting our native country, and elated with the hope of regaining 

 that which predominates so much in a Briton's breast — liberty. I confess I 

 felt the greatest regret at quitting my poor unhealthy relative, Mr. M'Grath ; 

 nor could I make him acquainted with the step I was about to take, without 

 experiencing an emotion impossible to be described. 

 The sea coast was the place fixed upon to make for, and we agreed, that 



about Estaples was the most likely part to procure a boat The anxiety 



and uneasiness which we felt the next day, were beyond description. Some 

 of onr countrymen, who called to see us en passant, threw out such insinuations 

 and made such remarks upon our conduct of late, that we were under the most 

 serious apprehensions of being shackled, and on the road to Bitche, before the 

 much desired hour, 11 at night : being well aware, that there were several 

 Englishmen employed, and paid regularly, for conveying the most trivial 

 occurrence that might take place among the prisoners, to the French general. 

 I have frequently known prisoners of war to be taken out of their beds, in 

 the night, fettered, and conducted under an escort of gend'armes to the depots 

 of punishment, without ever being informed of the crime or fault they had 

 been accused of, through malice, by some of those rascals giving false infor- 

 mation, to be revenged for any private animosity they might have against the 

 person so treated. These spies were so numerous (I repeat with regret), that 

 it was morally impossible to know them all ; consequently, the most watchful 

 and cautious amongst us was liable to be entrapped. We fortunately, how- 

 ever, escaped their' snares. 



The desired and long wished for moment arrived. We met agreeably to 

 appointment; every thing was favorable and quiet ; and in a few seconds, 

 with the assistance of our rope and a * * * * we were down the ramparts, 

 about 72 feet high, with very little damage, except losing a little of the skin 

 of our hands. Our course was N. W., which we carefully followed, each 

 having his knapsack, &c. regularly placed. 



(August 30. 1807.) About three o'clock, the day began to dawn, and having 

 ran during most of the time since we quitted our miserable abode, we conjec- 

 tured we were about five British leagues from it. We determined not to 

 approach any houses, nor to expose ourselves in the day-time, except in the 

 greatest necessity. We were fortunately close to the very wood which we had 

 pricked off on ©ur map for the first halt; it was in the vicijjiJy of Varcnne?. 

 We instantly entered it, and after searching for a good thick part, at last sue 

 ceeded, though it was contiguous to a path-way. However, wo placed ourselves 

 so woU, that unless information hnd been given nf n?. and people had come on 



voT, vr.— l^o'i. r 



