206 SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT O^BRlEN. 



indeed the kind of tavern and lodgings that suited us ; I never was more 

 pleased than at this reception. We got a good fire made, completed drying 

 our clothes, got some supper, and retired to the hay-loft. The good woman 

 gave us two blankets to cover us ; we foand this accommodation sufficiently 

 good, and we very soon fell fast asleep. 



Thursday, September 10., 1807. The next day, fortunately for us, (as it kept 

 08 under cover) was very inclement, raining without intermission. We kept 

 in the loft, except one at a time, who went to procure breakfast, and to 

 inform the landlady, who, we found, was a widow, that we would stay until 

 evening, in hopes that the rain might cease. We sent her our trowsers 

 stockings, &c., to mend for us. We could move about without fear in this 

 place, and found they were utter strangers to the sight of a gen d'armes. 

 The good lady took us for conscripts, and commiserated our situations. She 

 had a brother in the army, then in Prussia ; brought us a letter to read, that 

 she had lately received from him ; I served in the same regiment ; she was 

 very much pleased to hear it. At about seven we paid the worthy old hostess> 

 and took our leave ; the night was clear star-light, and promised favorably • 

 but the ground was so excessively slippery and muddy, that we could scarcely 

 prevent ourselves from falling at every step we took. 



At about ten, Mr. Esscl was seized with a violent bleeding of the nose, 

 mouth, &c. ; we feared very much that he had burst a blood vessel. This, 

 together with a dysentery, which he had been troubled with some time, ren- 

 dered him 80 excessively weak, that he could not move a step. We were 

 greatly affected at this misfortune, and agreed to convey him to the next house 

 we should meet. Fortunately the village alluded to by our landlady, when 

 we arrived at her house, was in sight : the view of it gave our sick friend fresh 

 courage ; but wc were apprehensive it was too large ; however, we were 

 resolved at all events, to procure him a lodging there ; and, if we perceived 

 any danger, to decamp instantly. 



About half past eleven, we arrived at the village ; it proved to be far 



inferior to what we had expected. Mr. A went into a public house to 



reconnoitre, and to enquire if our friend c«uld be supplied : he returned shortly, 

 said he had succeeded, and assured us, from every appearance, that he imag- 

 ined there was not the smallest risk attending our remaining there for the 

 night, and even the next day. We wished very much to continue if possible 

 together ; indeed, from their very great attention to me, when scarcely able to 

 move, I was determined not to desert or abandon any of them, that might be 

 indisposed, unless impelled by the greatest necessity. We accordingly agreed 

 to remain with our friend, sincerely hoping that he might, by the next night, 

 recruit a little strength. The bleeding had ceased, which was a great deal in 

 his favor : we accordingly entered the public house, the sick gentleman and 

 myself last. We were very civilly received by the landlord, who was a young 

 decent man ; he shewed us into a nice, clean back room, where we had beds 

 each : he assured us we were perfectly safe with him. — " I have been situated 

 in a similar manner once myself," said he, " and I shall ever have a fellow 

 feeling for others : when I quitted the army as a conscript, I travelled several 

 hundred miles by night, and concealed myself in woods in the day time." 

 We gave him nods of approbation, had some refreshment, found our friend 

 was already a little better, and each retired (happy as any creature could be) 

 to his bed. Wy God! what a paradise! It is not in my power to express, 

 or to give any idea of the comfort and happiness I felt at being once more in 

 a comfortable bed ; every thing neat and clean about me. This was our 

 thirteenth night, without stripping or resting, except the preceding one in the 

 hay-loft. I need not observe, that we remained in bed most part of the next 

 day. 



