Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/139

and proved the foundation of a rheumatism, which I much fear I shall feel through life. Towards evening, the incessant fall of rain, had so nearly inundated the wood, that, had we continued two hours longer, we must have been floated out of our nest. Soon after five P. M. we proceeded by the main road; but it being very dark, we could no longer direct our course by the stars. About eight, we met a Fleming, of whom we inquired the road to Bruges, but through his misunderstanding us, we were induced to walk back a considerable distance; when, passing a lone hut, we again asked the question, and were told not to quit the high road to the left; by this retrograde movement, we had marched about four miles unnecessarily; nevertheless, towards midnight we arrived at the gates of Bruges. At this time, we were all in a most deplorable condition,—wet to the skin, our feet bleeding, and so swollen, that we could scarcely walk at the rate of three miles an hour. Near the gates we observed a public house, and, having hitherto found such places to afford relief and safety, at this