53 

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



Continued from page 18. 



I NOW begged they would supply me with a little bread, but they had none 

 baked. I then requested they would show me the nearest way to Bitche, as 

 I had friends there who would find means of supplying me with a little cash, 

 to enable me to proceed on my long journey. After a long discussion in 

 German, during which I perfectly discovered their uneasiness at not receiving 

 more than 30 livres : the old man observed — " As there is but one of them, it 

 is of no great consequence ; but if they were all here, it would have been well 

 worth while." Meaning the other eleven of my companions. I again re- 

 peated my wish to be directed towards Bitche. I knew there was a direct 

 road from thence to the Rhine ; which was my motive to go that way. The 

 women again pleaded in my favour, and the two young men offered their 

 services. They accordingly equipped themselves, informed me they were 

 ready, and I took a most joyful leave of the women and old man, and followed 

 my guides, inexpressibly rejoiced at getting out of this danger ; although I 

 did not consider myself particularly in safety, whilst I remained with these 

 fellows. 



They conducted me through very intricate ways, deserts, and commons ; 

 they were generally behind me, and whispering to one another. I had no 

 great opinion of them ; so feigned occasion to remain behind a little ; which 

 time I occupied in concealing my watch, &c., which hitherto had been in the 

 pocket of my pantaloons. I then again advanced, but never went before them. 

 The inclemency of the night, the melancholy state of my mind, with the 

 awful aspect of the mountains and forests I passed through, together with the 

 discordant screaming of the screech-owl, filled my very soul with horror. My 

 white thorn club was my only weapon ; I regarded it with secret comfort, and 

 was determined to use it, should I have occasion, to the utmost of my nearly 

 exhausted strength. Yet, perhaps, my opinion of these fellows was ill founded. 

 About midnight they left me, on a pathway to the road to Bitche, and took 

 their leave. I felt much pleased at so happy a deliverance, and continued 

 this direction until about three o' clock ; when, supposing myself near enough 

 to that unhappy mansion, (Bitche) I directed my course (as I thought) towards 

 the Rhine. Sometime before daylight it ceased raining a liitle, the stars 

 shewed themselves, and I had the mortification of discovering, that I had 

 been going diametrically opposite to my proper direction ; and, what added 

 to my misery was, having no wood nor place in eight, to cover me for the 

 ensuing day. 



In this unhappy dilemma, I still kept advancing, being confident I had no 

 secure place near in my rear ; when, at length, some time after day-light, 

 I discovered a very thin wood, on the side of a hill, which I immediately 

 betook myself to ; and there I remained until night. There was a drizzling 

 rain the whole of the day ; the cold was extreme. I did not feel hungry, but 

 excessively weak. During the night I had taken several draughts of water, 

 which in some measure satisfied my appetite. The only annoyance I had 

 this day, was a man, who was cutting wood beneath me in the valley. I 

 could see every motion of his ; but I do n't think it was possible he could 

 see me, iia consequence of my breaking small branchfts, and sticking them 

 close round me. 



At night, about the usual time, I commenced my march, and took the 

 direction back that I had followed the preceding morning. About eleven, felt 

 very much harrassod from crossing fields, morasses, &c., and falling upon a 

 high road, I resolved to follow it for some time, especially as 1 thought it led 



