64 SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 



my way, but could not be certain, the moon and stars being still obscured 

 and I supposed it was too late for travellers to interrupt me. 



After quitting a wood on the side of the road, I had to crawl up a sort of 

 gravel pit to get on it. Imagine my astonishment! — I no sooner stepped on 

 the road than 1 was challenged, " qui vive," in an audible voice, by a 

 gend'arme on horseback. I need not point out how ready I was to quit the 

 highway at that moment ; I shall only say, that I made but one jump down 

 the gravel pit, crawled from thence back into the wood, where I remained 

 for some time to gather strength, being quite exhausted. 1 then proceeded 

 along the skirts of the wood, without having any idea of where I was going, 

 the night being very wet and inclement. I fortunately fell in with a cabbage 

 garden, close to a cottage near the wood, and eat plentifully of them, and 

 laid in a good supply in my pockets for the ensuing day. Afterwards I re- 

 entered the wood in which I remained all day. At night I recommenced my 

 journey, still embarrassed, in consequence of the weather, to know which 

 way to go ; this was the most severe night (if possible) I had experienced ; 

 the roads, pathways, &c. were so deep and heavy from the constant rains, 

 rivulets became dangerous rivers, I had to wade through several. 1 had an 

 opportunity again this night of feasting upon cabbage stalks, leaves, &c., and 

 stored my pockets also. At about eleven o' clock, when marching along the 

 skirts of a wood, 1 observed two men walking very fast, in a dillerent direc- 

 tion to me. 1 Immediately supposed they were some of my comrades, aud 

 they, 1 thought, were going into Holland, which accounted (admitting 1 was 

 going right) for the course they were taking. I stood up close to a tree, and 

 whistled an English tune ; they on that quickened their pace from me. I 

 then whistled our usual signal, they instantly ran as hard as ever they 

 coold. 1 felt very unhappy, as 1 still imagined they were my old com- 

 panions: I even regretted that 1 did not call to them, but the sequel will 

 inform the reader how wrong 1 should have been. 



November, 1807. My feet now began to get blistered, and very sore ; 1 

 was also getting excessively weak, it being my fifth day, living upon cabbage 

 leaves, aud stalks. About half past two in the morning, 1 perceived a lonely 

 house on the side of a wood. 1 imagined I might approach it, and thus en- 

 deavour to procure some refreshment ; being of opmton, that after so long a 

 ramble (even allowing for the traverse I must unavoidably have made) 1 was 

 still a great distance from the place where 1 had escaped : 1 was therefore 

 tempted to try ; accordingly made towards it : saw a light in the window, 

 got close to the door, peeped through the key-hole, and then the window 

 alternately ; at last I saw a woman spinning by a rousing fire! how anxiously 

 did 1 wish to be seated by it ! Twice hau 1 the knocker of the door in my 

 hand, and as often did 1 drop it ; so great were my apprehensions and fears 

 of approaching any dvrclling place; my last rencontre had greatly heightened 

 them, and not having plenty of cash to purchase myself oft, was another 

 powerful reason for alarm. Notwithstanding all my fears, and all the em- 

 barrassments I laboured under, I at last seized the knocker the third time, 

 and rapped ; the door was opened by a man, who surveyed me from top to 

 toe. I was covered all over with mud and dirt, and dripping wet ; he could 

 clearly perceive from my appearance and miserable aspect, that I had been 

 secluded for some time from my own species, and had been doomed to 

 associate, or rather herd with the animals that inhabit the forests; indeed the 

 voice of the screech-owls, during my night wanderings, was the only one 1 

 had heard for some time, which had become quite habitual to me. While 

 this fellow remained with his eyes rivetted on me, 1 assured him in French 

 that I was very thirsty, and asked him if he would have the goodness to give 

 nic something to drink? He could not speak French, but made mc under- 



