162 SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 



waited for a late hour, that our reception might be equally inhospitable with 

 that in the vicinity of Moncornet. All matters being thus settled, away we 

 marched. At about 9, we perceived a house that appeared to answer the 

 description required, directly in our course. The two Frenchified gentlemen 

 advanced to try their luck ; Lieutenant Essel and myself remained seated 

 close to a thick-set hedge. We continued in that position some time, waiting 

 the result of our friends' embassy — my poor companion complaining grievously 

 of the alteration in his health : finding they were not returning, we imagined 

 that, perhaps, they had met with a good reception, and were enjoying them- 

 selves ; we agreed, as this house was directly in our way, to pass by carelessly. 

 Accordingly walked on. Just as we passed the doer, they made their appear- 

 ance, with a young man dressed like a peasant. They joined, and informed 

 us, they could procure no relief at this house ; but that there was a small 

 village within a few hundred yards of us, and this young man was going to 

 8how them a public house in it, where they could gel supplie<l with every 

 thing. I declare I was of opinion, that this was a great deal too kind on his 

 part ; advised them, therefore, to send this guide back, as we certainly could 

 find the house without his assistance : he insisted upon conducting us— inquired 

 if we were also of the party, and presently the village appeared — very small 

 — at which I rejoiced greatly. Numbers of people were moving about, and 

 our guide informed us, it was a fete day. The public house appeared ; the 

 young man pointed to it, saying, you may enter without fear, and quitted us. 

 I did not like this last obsei'vation ; however, we were by this time on the 

 threshold— a number of people in the door- way — no alternative — so in we 

 went. The house was crowded with both sexes, dancing and amusing them- 

 selves. The dancing ceased immediately after we entered ; every eye was 

 fixed upon us. We called for a place where we could sit and refresh our- 

 selves, and were shewn into a room. We asked for some bread, cheese, and 

 wine, got it, and ate heartily, although we could not boast of much comfort. 

 Several of the peasants and their wives came and seated themselves close to 

 our table, pressing us to take some of their gateaux; from our appearance, 

 caps, knapsacks, &c. we saw they took us for conscripts, going to the army. 

 We told them we were going to Guise, and were obliged to travel day and 

 night, in consequence of our regiment being ordered away, and our remaining 

 at home too long. Called for our bill, and desired them to bring us a large 

 loaf of bread, and a bottle of brandy, as we might want them before our 

 arrival at the before-mentioned town. This done, they all wished us success, 

 and we parted. My God ! how delightful did the fields (when clear of this 

 village) appear to us once more ! We now proceeded, amusing ourselves with 

 the conversation we had with the old farmers and their wives — the different 

 sensations each of us had at the time, &c. Poor Essel complained greatly of 

 fatigue and weakness ; and my knee affected me a little every night, when we 

 commenced our route, but soon wore off. At day-light we stopped at a wood 

 joining a farm house, on the banks of the Oise. 



Tuesday, September 8., 1807. We commenced our march about seven in 

 the evening, after being greatly alarmed by a genteel dressed woman and two 

 children, who had passed ; a servant before her shaking the brambles, and 

 knocking the wet off the trees ; they were so close as to touch the very bush 

 that covered us. About half past eight we crossed the Oise in two places ; 

 again being obliged to pass through a small village, to get to the bridge that 

 led over. 



Wednesday, September 9. At day-light, after a tedious march, having 

 traversed a number of deep-ploughed and stubble fields, crossing hills and 

 vales, we found ourselves in the open fields ; poor Essel scarcely able to move. 

 This was the worst situation we had been placed in since we began our 



