PRISONERS AT PORTCHESTER 207 



ments were to be given up. It appears, however, that 

 the cunning Frenchmen still continued to make it 

 clandestinely, either at night after the curfew had 

 sounded, or in some secret spot in the great tower, 

 which afforded many tempting places of concealment. 

 Here, too, as at Forton and Plymouth, forged bank- 

 notes may have been manufactured, large numbers of 

 which, and of counterfeit seven-shilling pieces, were 

 circulated in the neighbourhood, through the medium, 

 it was supposed, of soldiers on guard acting in col- 

 lusion with the prisoners. One Frenchman, named 

 Francois Dutard, was sentenced to death for forging 

 notes, but his sentence was commuted to two years' 

 imprisonment at Winchester. 



The days when the castle court was thrown open 

 to the public were indeed red-letter days in the 

 monotonous lives of the prisoners. Many, as we have 

 seen, embraced the opportunity of selling their handi- 

 work ; others endeavoured, by songs and music and 

 juggling exhibitions, to make a few honest pence in 

 order to purchase eggs or butter or other luxuries, 

 which on these occasions were brought to the castle 

 by the country folk around. The presence of visitors 

 was, further, a break in the dreary monotony of life, 

 hours of which were spent daily by the prisoners in 

 draughts and dominoes and backgammon, and some- 

 times in more exciting games of chance. Many of the 

 Frenchmen were inveterate gamblers, and would even 

 stake their food and clothing. One man at least is 

 reported to have died of starvation, having gambled 

 away eight days' provisions in advance. Theatrical 

 entertainments were also occasionally^ arranged by the 

 prisoners, and one Borchiampe, formerly a sergeant- 

 major in General Dupont's corps, whose hand had 



