110 THE REWARD OF INGENUITY. 



actions of bis spiders, of whose movements lie was 

 now enabled to judge with perfect accuracy, that 

 within fourteen days there would commence a most 

 severe frost, which would afford the army sufficient 

 time to complete and make sure of the conquest they 

 had commenced, before it should be followed by a 

 thaw. The commander of the forces believed his 

 prognostication, and persevered. The cold weather 

 which d'Isjouvil had foretold made its appearance 

 in twelve days, and with such intensity, that the 

 ice over the rivers and canals became capable of 

 bearing the heaviest artillery. On the 28th January 

 1795 the French army entered Utrecht in triumph, 

 and Quatremer d'Isjouvil, who had watched his 

 spiders to such good purpose, was, as the reward of 

 his intelligence and ingenuity, released from cap- 

 tivity. 



