SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 115 



shoulders lifting and coming with a sudden jerk, the moment I touched on it 

 I was thrown on my side, and my right knee twisted in the joint to that 

 degree, that I absolutely thought it was snapped in two ; in this condition I 

 remained extended in the most excruciating pain, recommending to my com- 

 panions to be more cautious, until Lieutenant Essel and the other two joined 

 me. They examined, and found, to my inexpressible joy that the bone was 

 not broken: but this unfortunate business, at the moment, deprived me of 

 every hope of being able to prosecute ray intended journey. My mind was 

 distressed — my ideas distracted beyond description — not more than fifteen or 

 twenty leagues from the miserable prison which I had felicitated myself at so 

 happily escaping from — abandoned by my comrades, and, who, of course, I 

 could not expect to remain — left in an open field in this miserable state ; in 

 one word, instant death, as I then thought, would have been a thousand times 

 preferable. However, Divine Providence, always ready to assist those who 

 repose confidence in it, designed to interpose its clemency. My comrades 

 began to chafe and rub the part affected with spirits, a small portion of which 

 each of us carried. I found instant relief from this remedy, and in a short 

 time, with their assistance, was able to stand up. To their repeated enquiries 

 about my knee, I replied, that I felt much better, though in fact I had little 

 hopes of being able to continue with them : but I feared discouraging these 

 brave fellows, who declared their determination not to quit me ; this noble 

 declaration inspired me with enthusiasm, and gave me fresh vigour and 

 courage. I made an effort to step out, but was under the necessity of requesting 

 that one would assist me on each side, which they did. Thus we moved on 

 slowly, and passed the village that we were so anxious about. My knee, I 

 was happy to feel, was gradually getting better, and we managed to march in 

 this state about three leagues, when we discovered a very fine commodious 

 wood. 



(September 2. 1807.) It was about two o' clock. My comrades proposed 

 that we should rest here the ensuing day ; they would not on my account 

 proceed farther ; besides it was uncertain whether they might fall in with 

 another wood before daylight. 



No intelligence could be more congenial to my feelings than this. I was 

 excessively weary and fatigued : so, having found a pro|)er part of the wood, 

 each took his position and a little refreshment, and then endeavoured to take 

 rest ; but so violently did my knee pain me, that I was obliged to have two 

 of my friends to lay their whole weight on my leg, thigh and right side ; they 

 fell fast asleep in a very short time, I could not close an eye. The distressing 

 and melancholy reflection of being left behind in consequence of my illness, 

 still recurred. The thought of being picked up, and conducted to some dreadful 

 dungeon, or some other ignominious habitation, was constantly present ; 

 replete with such ideas what mortal could think of sleeping ? Thus occupied 

 in thought, wavering between hope and despair, I remained nearly two hours 

 — my friends in a sound sleep all the time. At last, finding their weight on 

 my side troublesome', I extricated myself from them without awaking or 

 causing them the least disturbance. I now imagined I had an excellent oppor- 

 tunity of trying whether I could move without assistance, without alarming or 

 discouraging my fellow travellers ; I accordingly made an effort to stand up, 

 which I accomplished with some difficulty, and then attempted to walk ; but 

 I immediately tumbled backwards, from the excessive pain and weakness 

 of my knee. I afterwards made several similar essays in the course of the 

 next day, when my companions were asleep, but with no better success : I 

 encouraged them notwithstanding by saying I was much better. 



To he continued. 



