160 SUFFERINGS OF LIEUTENANT o'bRIEN. 



changed my position, and after a severe struggle in the most excruciating 

 pain, I got on the legs of my stockings, my old shoes, and an old pair of 

 gaiters, that 1 managed to button over all. 1 then got placed in a tolerably 

 good thicket, where I could see him, without being seen myself. Here I 

 remained in a state of uncertainty, very near an hour ; when, to my great 

 satisfaction, I saw him returning by himself. 1 regained my appointed place 

 before he arrived, least he might discover my suspicions. He did not find ihe 

 box, and regretted very much the loss of it. 



November, 1807. He began to survey me now very closely, and remarked 

 that mine was a very curious dress for a recruit. 1 answered that 1 procuied 

 these clothes for a deception. We were now approaching the ancient and 

 well known city of Strasbourgh, and could very plainly see lis steeples, the 

 principal one of which is allowed to be the most beautiful and highest in 

 Europe. 



He informed me he was a Russian by birth, had been a long time in the 

 French array, and had deserted ; he dwelt greatly on the timidity of young 

 deserters; "he, at first, thought he should be arrested, if he but saw the top 

 of a steeple," and advised me to advance l>oldly to the part of the Rhine 

 that he would point out where there were fishermen that would instantly put 

 me across for a mere trifle. 1 wished him very much to accompany me so 

 far, ottering him again the crowns. This he could not do, but declared there 

 was no danger. At about half past seven we were on the high road close to 

 the gates of the city. He told me he must now quit me; 1 gave him one 

 crown, which he received with great pleasure. 1 shook hands with biin, and 

 proceeded onwards in the direction which he pointed out. 



1 had proceeded about half a mile, when, from the number of country 

 folks 1 met going into the city, and from the singularity of my appearance 

 and dress, particularly on a Sunday, I thought it most prudent to retire from 

 off the highway. 1 accordingly got into a garden hard by, and seated myself 

 by a brook, in which, cold and unpleasant as it felt, 1 washed the mud and 

 dirt oft, and scraped and cleaned myself in the best manner possible. 1 then 

 advanced, passing through two or three small villaiics, and crossed the river 

 111 in a fisherman'^ small boat, for two sols ; this success emboldened and 

 encouraged me wonderfully. I now proceeded eagerly towards that part 

 which had been pointed out to me by my providential guide, not forgetting 

 his counsel with respect to assurance. 



November, 1807. At about one in the afternoon, I arrived on the banks of 

 the Rhine, a place 1 had been so long anxionsly striving to reach. The 

 pleasure I should otherwise have felt on this occasion was greatly lessened by 

 not being able to discover the fishermen's abodes, mentioned by my guide. 

 This part of the bank was entirely covered with trees, and long grass. I met 

 with a man riding through one part, in which there was a bye road, he salu- 

 ted me, and passed on; 1 traversed the bank in ditlereut directions without 

 success; the stream was very rapid: I suddenly perceived a small punt 

 hauled into a creek, without sculls or paddles, chained to a tree and locked ; 

 this was one resource, in case of not finding any better means, though by 

 the bye, a dangerous one; for as the river was excessively rapid, and inter- 

 spersed with shoals and islands, and I was not more than three or four miles 

 above the bridge of Khel, I miijht be drifted nearly that distance, in endea- 

 vouring to cross by myself, and thus in all probability get detected. 



I, therefore, hesitated, and rested myself in a thick cover, contemplating 

 this ancient river, eagerly watching, and ardently wishing for an opportunity 

 to quit a country in which I had suderert so severely, and which in conse- 

 quence I so much detested ; thus, considering what steps I had better take, 

 I remained in a state of 5u?pcnte; however, in the mean time, I refreshed 



