SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 251 



different, I was not encumbered with fetters, hand-cuffs, &c. We stopped 

 here to breakfast, our landlady shed tears at seeing us fettered in so cruel a 

 manner ; nor would our guards unshackle even one hand during the time ; the 

 people of the house were obliged literally to feed us. 



(September, 1807.) At about five o' clock we arrived at Avernes goal, and 

 were placed among crimiiials of every denomination, by order Cthey observed) 

 of General Wirrion, who, it appears, had sent express to all those places, to 

 desire that we should be treated as severely as possible. The report here was 

 that we were going to be shot as spies, who had been inspecting their naval 

 armaments along the coast. One of our companions in this horrible prison 

 was a wretch condemned to perpetual irons, for having murdered his father 

 and mother : he had cut. them in quarters, and buried thfem in a pit — it 

 appeared that he was insane. I shuddered, and felt the most unpleasant 

 sensations imaginable at the sight of this monster. We all felt inexpressible 

 joy at quitting this vile place, which was at day-break the next day. 



About five o' clock, we halted at Hirson. We had passed through this 

 village formerly, with the frigate's crew, and were then billetted on the inha- 

 bitants, as they had no jail. I was in great hopes we should avoid the horrors 

 of a dungeon for one night at least, but found myself mistaken. They placed 

 us in a small dungeon, calculated to contain about our immber (four), an*- 

 gave us a little straw to lie on. 



A brigadier of gend'armerie, with tvio gensd'armes, constituted the police 

 of this village. The former spoke to us through a hole in the dungeon door, 

 and informed us, that the jailer's wife would procure us some refreshments 

 by giving her money in advance, which we readily agreed to, returning him 

 many thanks, at the same time, for his goodness and condescension. 



We were soon informed that there was a kind of repast prepared for us, 

 and that we should have permission to go into the jailer's house, during' 

 the few minutes necessary to refresh ourselves. This intelligence threw us 

 into great confusion, as we had been unaccustomed to such an indulgence, and 

 in consequence had neglected to deposit in some secret hole a number of 

 small articles, such as files, gimlets, &c., which we fortunately had hitherto 

 kept concealed. The moment they were about to open our door, one pre- 

 ferred keeping what he had upon his person, another slipped his in among, 

 the straw, and in this perplexed state the door was opened, and we were 

 ordered out. I protest I thought the things left in the straw were best 

 secured, as the place was excessively dark. We were now seated at table to 

 some soup, &c., in great consternation, surrounded by the gens d'armes and 

 jailer. In a few minutes, the latter procured a candle and lanthorn, and 

 informed the brigadier he was ready to attend him. He accordingly rose, 

 and they proceeded to the miserable abode we had just quitted. An opinion 

 of our feelings at that moment can only be formed by those unfortunate 

 people who have experienced similar sutierings and vicissitudes : I can only 

 say, that our relish for the soup was not very great; we were well assured 

 that every thing left in the straw would inevitably be discovered, which most 

 certainly would lea<l to a general search of our persons. I felt particularly 

 concerned on account of a certain article, which I kept upon me contrary to 

 the general wish. The brigadier's generosity was now suliiciently accounted 

 for. 



To be continued. 



