In this distress, I became almost frantic, for from so untimely and unexpected a secession, I doubted in whom to confide.
My brother officers getting intimation of my intentions, whispered it about from one to the other, till it became a topic of general conversation; at length, it reached the ears of the police, and, in consequence of this, I was so closely watched, that all my prospects, for the present, were blasted. The only way to remove these suspicions, was perfect tranquillity for some time; and to divert the attention of the public, I sent to Verdun for my clothes and dogs, which I had left there, to avoid incumbrance on the road to Valenciennes. I should not neglect to mention, that a sentinel was now placed at the before-mentioned sally-port, and stricter orders issued throughout the depôt. The midshipmen began to manifest much impatience at the continuance of their "durance vile," and, after several fruitless applications to the commandant, drew up a letter to the minister of war, requesting restoration to parole: one sentence of which insured a flat denial, as it
