they took in another link, damned me for a rascally Englishman, and clapped on an immense padlock, which was dangling as an ornament under my chin the whole way; and they then screwed on my handcuffs until the skin was literally twisted off my wrists. At night we arrived at Haguenau jail.
“December 20th. We arrived at an open town, the name of which I have forgotten. The cold was very intense – snowing hard all day. For our comfort, we were put into one of the most filthy dungeons that ever mortal beheld – with scarcely room to turn round in it, and only a small hole in the door to admit air. The Corsicans appeared to feel a great deal for my situation, and observed, that they ought not to complain, when a British officer was used in so horrid a manner. They were permitted to go out of the dungeon to get some refreshments, which the charitable inhabitants sent them; but the ‘Sacre Anglois’ was not suffered to move; and I had great difficulty to procure a morsel of food. My companions soon returned, and they placed their knapsacks for me to lie on. The air hole was so small, and there was such an abominable smell, that I never expected to survive it. Two of these unfortunate wretches were seized with a diarrhoea, which continued the whole night, and added greatly to the stench we already had. The misery I endured was beyond description; the night appeared to have no end. At last the cheering moment arrived, which was announced by the usual sounds – rattling of keys, creeking of bolts, doors, &c. A gend’arme presented himself, and with a gruff overbearing voice, desired us to prepare for our march. He had very little difficulty in getting this summons obeyed, but he told us we must first of all clean out our cell! ‘Where is the Englishman?’ said he, ‘let him do that part!’ I advanced, and told him, I absolutely would not – I had caused no accumulation of filth since my arrival, therefore was determined not even to assist. The fellow was getting into a rage, when the deserters interfered, and assured him that what I stated was true, and they insisted upon their emptying it out; which being done, we commenced our journey as before; the two sick wretches were not exempted from fetters, although the weather was excessively inclement – blowing and snowing right in our teeth. My wrists were swollen and sore: however this was the last stage, and I expected at least to get clear of the handcuffs. The sick repeatedly requested permission to halt where they saw a frozen rivulet, to endeavour to procure some water, but to no effect. Those flint-hearted brutes would not suffer them, and the poor creatures ate handfuls of snow, to try to extinguish their burning thirst. The guard would not even condescend to unchain them on any occasion, and they were consequently exposed on the high road to every one.
“On the 21st, at noon, the high turrets of the gloomy mansion I was going to inhabit presented themselves to my sight. The outward appearance was of itself sufficient to strike the mind with horror. The idea of being shut up in that detestable fortress for, perhaps, the remainder of my