114 SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 



was walled in ; it was also surrounded by a river, which appeared an insnr- 

 mountablc barrier to my proceedings. It required much resolution, owing to 

 the frost to take to the water, — however, "necessity has no law," so I 

 stripped, and fortunately got over one branch of it ; upon the other part I 

 observed a mill, with the house arched, so as to admit the water to pass. 

 Upon a strict survey, I perceived, that if I could pass this part, I should be 

 able to make a tour round the town, and to get clear, I approached, saw 

 the mill doors opened, and the road on the opposile side. I retired a little, 

 dressed myself, and advanced again, and passed through the mill, hearing no 

 noise but that of the works ; indeed this appeared to be a thoroughfare, for 

 the people who brought their corn to grind. 



November, 1807. Thus easily I surmounted, what I had deemed but an 

 hour before almost impracticable. I returned Divine Providence my most 

 sincere thanks, and congratulated myself upon the occasion. I now walked 

 on towards Strasbourgh, well assured of being on the proper road. At about 

 half-past three, I heard a man cough at a little distance behind ; 1 did not 

 alter my pace, and, to avoid suspicion, rather slackened it. He soon over- 

 took me, saluted me in broken French, and expressed his surprise at my 

 being able to get out of town so early. 1 told him that I believed I was the 

 first out that morning, feigned to believe it was past five o' clock, and that I 

 thought it was usual to open the gates about that hour. He said that he 

 thought it was about three, and wondered to see me bare- footed. I told him 

 I was a soldier, and that after the severe campaigns we lately had in Prussia, 

 and against the Russians, we were insensible to cold. He agreed that my 

 observations were very just. I added, that 1 bad been on leave to see my 

 friends, my regiment was at Strasbourgh ; I was all of a sudden ordered to 

 join, and had walked day and night, almost, from St. Quentin, my native 

 place, lest it should march without me. He commended my zeal, and said, 

 we were wonderful fellows: he informed me that he was a butcher, going to 

 purchase cattle, and that he would continue with me about two miles farther ; 

 Strasbourgh was about three leagues from me. At the distance mentioned, 

 he parted, wishing me to take a dram at a little public house on the road 

 side. 1 excused myself, by observing, that I never had been accustomed to 

 drink so early. 



The day was breaking fast. On approaching a large town, it was necessary 

 to get off" the highway, so 1 took the first pathway to the right, determining 

 to leave Strasbourgh on the left, as it was my intention to proceed into Swit- 

 Kerland, if 1 found much difficulty in attempting to cross the Rhine. 1 ad- 

 vanced about two or three miles through the fields, sat down, wiped my feet 

 and got my shoes and the legs of my stockings on, though with great diffi- 

 culty, as my feet were very much swelled, and the skin peeled oft. I limped 

 on in great pain, the morning was very hazy and disagreeable, and 1 felt 

 excessively weak ; the heat of my feet parched the upper leather of my shoes 

 so, that I was frequently obliged to stand in a wet place to soften them. 

 Thus roving about in the open fields, without being able to discover a hiding 

 place, I remained for some time. 



At length I heard a bell ring, and conjectured it was in some small 

 village ; 1 directed my course towards the sound, it was what 1 had sup- 

 posed, and appeared a very poor one. After a great deal of hesitation, I 

 resolved to approach the next house to me. My pretext was, to inquire my 

 distance from the road to Strasbourgh. This 1 accordingly did, found two 

 young women spinning flax, dressed genteely, after the German manner. 1 

 inquired of them the road to Strasbourgh ? they could not understand me. I 

 made signals that I was thirsty, one of them brought me some milk, which 

 I swallowed with great eagerness. I offered payment, but she would not 



