SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANl' o'bRIEN. 17 



But now the much desired moment was approaching fast; the sun was 

 setting, and, to my great mortification, with every appearance of bad weather. 

 It already began to rain very liard, which obscured the moon, that was, about 

 this time, eight or nine days old. Reflecting on my present state, I foucd it 

 truly pitiable — with only the small old map, already mentioned, to direct my 

 paths ; without compass or guide, meat, drink, or companion, in the dreary 

 month of November. The nearest friendly town to me was Salsburg, (in 

 Austria,) between seven and eight hundred miles distant. Nevertheless, 

 having escaped from the clutches of tyrants, and being my own master, more 

 Jhan compensated for a thousand times more hardships. I cut a stick oat of 

 the very bush I had lain all day concealed in, and picked a number of haws 

 off it, which I put in my pocket, and swallowed, stones and all, occasionally. 

 About half-past seven I ventured out, shook and cleaned myself as well I could, 

 recommended myself to our Merciful Creator, and proceeded, with great 

 precaution, towards the wood, in which I had separated from my companions, 

 supposing that they would return there also, to meet me. I traversed the 

 wood, about three or four miles in different directions, but to no purpose : 

 now and then I whistled, which was a former signal established amongst us, 

 but all without success. I, therefore, remained alone, cold, fatigued, and 

 drenched with wet. 



The moon being entirely hid in consequence of the inclemency of the 

 weather, prevented my knowing to a certainty what course to take. The risk 

 was too great to venture on the higii road ; I knevi^ this from sad experience, 

 and yet I was so nearly perished with cold and wet, that it was impossible to 

 remain still, I therefore kept running and walking onwards during the night ; 

 frequently impeded by the course of the Sarre, which confused me greatly. 

 At length, being very much fatigued, from the commons, deserts, Sec, that I 

 had gone through, and finding a convenient wood, though destitute of leaves, 

 I got into it, aud concealed myself in a tolerably good part, a little before 

 day-light. I never recollect feeling or suffering so much from cold, it rained 

 incessantly all that day. I swallowed a few of my haws, and endeavoured ro 

 comfort myself, by imagining that the ensuing niglit might be fine, and that I 

 might possibly fall in with my comrades, which would, indeed, have been 

 the greatest consolation. I also felicitated myself on not being much more 

 than 15 leagues from the Rhine : that being the distance when T quitted my 

 companions; admitting that I had been going the opposite direction all night, 

 I could not have increased the distance much. 



(November, 1807.) I was very much annoyed all this day by moles, rats, 

 and other small animals, somewhat like squirrels; the rats approached often 

 so near, as to lick my shoes. At the close of the evening, a swineherd was 

 conducting his hogs by my hiding place : I saw him very distinctly. One of 

 them took flight exactly towards me, he sent his dog in pursuit of it, which 

 providentially turned the hog; otherwise it would have absolutely ran over 

 me. I need not observe how much I was alarmed, especially as I could not 

 have been far from the place I had escaped from. 



About eight o' clock I quitted my retreat. The night was very inclement, 

 it continued raining and blowing very hard. I was equally at a loss which 

 direction lo take, not being able to see either moon or stars. About nine 

 o' clock I discovered a hut, and imagined this would be a good opportunity 

 to endeavour to procure a morsel of food of some kind. 1 reconnoitered the 

 place very attentively, and approached most cautiously the door; the struggle 

 between the desire of procuring some sustenance, (which I so much wanted) 

 and (he dread of being arrested in the attempt, is easier conceived than des- 

 cribed. After deliberating some length of time at the door, agitate<l alter- 

 nately with different sensations, without coming to a determination, (so 

 VOL. VII. — 1836. C 



