first started from as prisoners. Here we perceived a boat putting out from shore and making for a privateer brig, which we had

passed within a pistol-shot. Ten minutes more and the brig had slipped her cable and was making all sail in pursuit of us.

To escape from this devil of a craft was impossible; she was shortly alongside, peppering us with musketry. We forced the soldiers to come on deck and stand fire together with ourselves. Yet to what purpose? We were obliged to bring to; a rope was thrown on board, and presently we were in the hold of the brig and strongly ironed.

We remained on board the privateer until about noon of the next day, when we arrived at Nantes. The news of our taking the chasse - marée had preceded us, and, like most stories, had gained each time it was told. It was reported that we had murdered all the crew; but when we all went ashore together, the inhabitants changed their hatred of us into contempt for the soldiers, who, like ourselves, were marched in handcuffs to the military prison.

On reaching the prison we were ushered into a spacious courtyard, where a ragged, motley crew of conscripts, thieves, and deserters were amusing themselves in singing the Carmagnole and killing vermin. They greeted us as companions, and our "footing" was demanded by the seeming captain of the gang, who politely told us that we must give ten sous each " pour boire à notre

santé." If we had no money, a shirt or two, it was suggested, would fetch the amount. Seeing that we were not to be persuaded, and that a storm of British fisticuffs was gathering, the gentry informed us that they would leave it to our generosity at another time.

Next morning we received a visit from the Commandant of the town, who spoke English remarkably well. After some conversation as to our affair on board the chasse-marée, he proposed to me to enter the French service; within three months I should be lieutenant de vaisseau, and my men should be mastergunners. I rejected his proposal as an Englishman ought, and we retired to our cells. The following night passed with much discomfort, caused by foul air and filth. When the bell struck eight we were admitted to the courtyard; I sought the refreshment of the pump; my men disappeared into the jailer's house, to procure, as I imagined, a morning dram. On finding, however, that they did not return, I inquired for them, and learnt that they had been led to the general's house. Suspecting his design, I did not scruple to practise a ruse de guerre. I told the jailer that I was surprised I had not been sent for, as I also was a volunteer, begging him at the same

time to conduct me forthwith to the general. He did so, and I found General Dumuy in the act of persuading them to enter the service. When the jailer informed him that I too had chosen to volunteer, he rose to congratulate me, but he was quickly convinced of his error. "General Dumuy," I said, "I am sorry to find the French navy so hard pressed for men that you should solicit the services of your enemies: these men, who are not worth the trouble I take on their behalf, will one day betray you, as they

66

now wish to do by their own country. It is unworthy of you to hold out prospects to them in a way which in the end can only cover them with shame. And as for you, traitors," I went on, can you hesitate between honour and infamy? Return back with me to your prison, and show yourselves worthy of such a country as England' with more to the same purpose. Rude as it was, my appeal had its due effect. The general, in a rage, bade us prepare for a rigorous march of five hundred miles.

At eight next morningAugust 21, 1804 - we set out from Nantes, handcuffed two and two, with a strong chain between us. We passed through the market-place, but no notice whatever was taken of us. The weather was oppressively hot, and, not being accustomed to walk, we were incapable of advancing more than half-way to the town where it was intended that we should rest for the night. The miserable remains of our money were squandered by the men on brandy: four of them were so drunk that the soldiers were obliged to procure a cart to take them on. It was nearly eight o'clock before we entered our prison. One pound of black bread was the only allowance during twenty-four hours for prisoners marching six leagues in the dog-days. We were put into the condemned cells, reserved for criminals and galleyslaves, which stood at the back of the military bakehouse, then

in full glow; bread was being made for 4000 troops on their way to the camp at Boulogne. Here it was that I began to know real suffering; the heat of the day must have been above 85°; that which struck through the walls from the ovens was beyond endurance. We hallooed for the jailer, but not a soul came near us. We took it in turns, three at a time, to breathe through the grated aperture in the door; those of us who drew back, worn down with fatigue, kept bathing their heads in water. The little inclination we had for sleep was banished by the intolerable heat, and the swarm of insects which made the straw little better than a living and moving mass.

About seven o'clock we saw the gendarmes approach; we had long been wishing for them: handcuffed two and two, we were so weak that we had to be lifted into carts.

first started from as prisoners. Here we perceived a boat putting out from shore and making for a privateer brig, which we had

passed within a pistol-shot. Ten minutes more and the brig had slipped her cable and was making all sail in pursuit of us.

To escape from this devil of a craft was impossible; she was shortly alongside, peppering us with musketry. We forced the soldiers to come on deck and stand fire together with ourselves. Yet to what purpose? We were obliged to bring to; a rope was thrown on board, and presently we were in the hold of the brig and strongly ironed.

We remained on board the privateer until about noon of the next day, when we arrived at Nantes. The news of our taking the chasse - marée had preceded us, and, like most stories, had gained each time it was told. It was reported that we had murdered all the crew; but when we all went ashore together, the inhabitants changed their hatred of us into contempt for the soldiers, who, like ourselves, were marched in handcuffs to the military prison.

On reaching the prison we were ushered into a spacious courtyard, where a ragged, motley crew of conscripts, thieves, and deserters were amusing themselves in singing the Carmagnole and killing vermin. They greeted us as companions, and our "footing" was demanded by the seeming captain of the gang, who politely told us that we must give ten sous each "pour boire à notre

santé." If we had no money, a shirt or two, it was suggested, would fetch the amount. Seeing that we were not to be persuaded, and that a storm of British fisticuffs was gathering, the gentry informed us that they would leave it to our generosity at another time.

Next morning we received a visit from the Commandant of the town, who spoke English remarkably well. After some conversation as to our affair on board the chasse-marée, he proposed to me to enter the French service; within three months I should be lieutenant de vaisseau, and my men should be mastergunners. I rejected his proposal as an Englishman ought, and we retired to our cells. The following night passed with much discomfort, caused by foul air and filth. When the bell struck eight we were admitted to the courtyard; I sought the refreshment of the pump; my men disappeared into the jailer's house, to procure, as I imagined, a morning dram. On finding, however, that they did not return, I inquired for them, and learnt that they had been led to the general's house. Suspecting his design, I did not scruple to practise a ruse de guerre. I told the jailer that I was surprised I had not been sent for, as I also was a volunteer, begging him at the same

time to conduct me forthwith to the general. He did so, and I found General Dumuy in the act of persuading them to enter the service. When the jailer informed him that I too had chosen to volunteer, he rose to congratulate me, but he was quickly convinced of his error. "General Dumuy," I said, "I am sorry to find the French navy so hard pressed for men that you should solicit the services of your enemies: these men, who are not worth the trouble I take on their behalf, will one day betray you, as they

now wish to do by their own country. It is unworthy of you to hold out prospects to them in a way which in the end can only cover them with shame. And as for you, traitors," I went on, can you hesitate between honour and infamy? Return back with me to your prison, and show yourselves worthy of such a country as England". with more to the same purpose. Rude as it was, my appeal had its due effect. The general, in a rage, bade us prepare for a rigorous march of five hundred miles.

At eight next morningAugust 21, 1804 - we set out from Nantes, handcuffed two and two, with a strong chain between us. We passed through the market-place, but no notice whatever was taken of us. The weather was oppressively hot, and, not being accustomed to walk, we were incapable of advancing more than half-way to the town where it was intended that we should rest for the night. The miserable remains of our money were squandered by the men on brandy: four of them were so drunk that the soldiers were obliged to procure a cart to take them on. It was nearly eight o'clock before we entered our prison. One pound of black bread was the only allowance during twenty-four hours for prisoners marching six leagues in the dog-days. We were put into the condemned cells, reserved for criminals and galleyslaves, which stood at the back of the military bakehouse, then

in full glow; bread was being made for 4000 troops on their way to the camp at Boulogne. Here it was that I began to know real suffering; the heat of the day must have been above 85°; that which struck through the walls from the ovens was beyond endurance. We hallooed for the jailer, but not a soul came near us. We took it in turns, three at a time, to breathe through the grated aperture in the door; those of us who drew back, worn down with fatigue, kept bathing their heads in water. The little inclination we had for sleep was banished by the intolerable heat, and the Swarm of insects which made the straw little better than a living and moving mass.

About seven o'clock we saw the gendarmes approach; we had long been wishing for them: handcuffed two and two, we were so weak that we had to be lifted into carts.

first started from as prisoners. Here we perceived a boat putting out from shore and making for a privateer brig, which we had

passed within a pistol-shot. Ten minutes more and the brig had slipped her cable and was making all sail in pursuit of us.

To escape from this devil of a craft was impossible; she was shortly alongside, peppering us with musketry. We forced the soldiers to come on deck and stand fire together with ourselves. Yet to what purpose? We were obliged to bring to; a rope was thrown on board, and presently we were in the hold of the brig and strongly ironed.

We remained on board the privateer until about noon of the next day, when we arrived at Nantes. The news of our taking the chasse - marée had preceded us, and, like most stories, had gained each time it was told. It was reported that we had murdered all the crew; but when we all went ashore together, the inhabitants changed their hatred of us into contempt for the soldiers, who, like ourselves, were marched in handcuffs to the military prison.

On reaching the prison we were ushered into a spacious courtyard, where a ragged, motley crew of conscripts, thieves, and deserters were amusing themselves in singing the Carmagnole and killing vermin. They greeted us as companions, and our "footing" was demanded by the seeming captain of the gang, who politely told us that we must give ten sous each "pour boire à notre

Next morning we received a visit from the Commandant of the town, who spoke English remarkably well. After some conversation as to our affair on board the chasse-marée, he proposed to me to enter the French service; within three months I should be lieutenant de vaisseau, and my men should be mastergunners. I rejected his proposal as an Englishman ought, and we retired to our cells. The following night passed with much discomfort, caused by foul air and filth. When the bell struck eight we were admitted to the courtyard; I sought the refreshment of the pump; my men disappeared into the jailer's house, to procure, as I imagined, a morning dram. On finding, however, that they did not return, I inquired for them, and learnt that they had been led to the general's house. Suspecting his design, I did not scruple to practise a ruse de guerre. I told the jailer that I was surprised I had not been sent for, as I also was a volunteer, begging him at the same