159 

 SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT D. O'BRIEN, R. N. 



Contintied from page 115. 



At the usual hour, all arrangements having been made, we marched to the 

 edge of the wood ; I was assisted by two, similar to the preceding night. We 

 found it was too early to quit the wood. There was a very high tree at the 

 border where we came to, and it was proposed that Mr. Tuthill should climb 

 up it, to discover what kind of country lay in our course, which he immedi- 

 ately did ; and, to my great satisfaction, stated it to be a beautiful plain, 

 without woods, river, or any thing to impede us. From the excessive height 

 of the tree, we had no doubt but he could extend his view several leagues. 

 We now proceeded, and I insisted upon their leaving me in the rear, to hop 

 on and struggle for myself. I felt excessively dejected, but determined not to 

 expose it. At first the pain I endured was terrible : however, I at length 

 brought my leg to the ground, and limped on with the assistance of my club. 

 We had not advanced above a league, when we perceived a beautiful vineyard 

 right in our way. They halted to try the grape, which was a most heavenly 

 relief to me, as I was almost knocked up. The grapes, though sour, we found 

 of great service, and they revived our spirits amazingly. After eating a great 

 many, we loaded our pockets with them. I found my knee much better ; the 

 gloom that hung over me was dispersing fast ; in short, I proceeded with very 

 good spirits, and in about an hour afterwards we providentially arrived at an 

 orchard ; found its apples delicious ; cleared our pockets of the grapes, and 

 replaced them with this most exquisite fruit. We then proceeded with great 

 joy ; each congratulating me on my getting on so well. Indeed I never was 

 more surprised than at the sudden change in my frame altogether : my knee 

 improving every mile I walked. 



(September 3. 1807). At day-light we were much alarmed, not being able 

 to make out a wood ia any direction. At last, to our unspeakable delight, we 

 perceived at a small distance a kind of little forest, not more than three or 

 four acres in circumference. We repaired to it without hesitation, and found 

 it thick and well adapted for our reception. Having pitched upon a convenient 

 spot, we deposited our knapsacks, disburdened ourselves of our apples, &c. 

 and after refreshing ourselves with a little biscuit and sausage, together with a 

 dessert which we could not afford, we betook ourselves to rest. I had not 

 closed an eye before, since I had received the hurt; but at that moment I 

 had no sooner extended my weary limbs upon the ground, than I was in a 

 profound sleep ; nor did I awake until roused by my comrades, who were 

 alarmed by the voices of two men, who came to work adjacent to our 

 concealment. We could hear them so very distinctly, that we were of opinion 

 they could not be distant more than fifty paces ; their conversation was chiefly 

 respecting the towns of Charleville and Mezieres ; they continued their work 

 until sun-set. From hearing them mention those towns so repeatedly, in 

 addition to other parts of the conversation, we were convinced of our being 

 too far to the northward of our proper course. Travelling by night, frequently 

 extremely dark, though we had an excellent compass, it was impossible to 

 avoid sometimes erring a little, more especially whenever a river turned us out 

 of our proper direction. Those fellows being gone, which we did not regret, 

 as the reader may suppose, we commenced our preparations as we were accus- 

 tomed, and at the usual time proceeded forward, my knee rather painful and 

 stiff, which in a great measure gradually decreased by exercising it. 



At midnight we came directly on a small town, situated in a valley, without 

 perceiving it until it was too late to return. As it was open, we did not 

 apprehend any danger, particularly at so late an hour. We however passed 

 through it as quick as possible, without meeting a soul until we got into the 



