Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/97

to await Rochfort's recovery, or to look out for another companion. Day after day passed in this state of suspense; when finding no amendment in his health, he was liberal enough to advise my seeking a help-*mate amongst the seamen. He became so reduced by his illness, that even, if he did recover, he dare not risk exposure to night chills, for a considerable time; it was, therefore, with extreme reluctance, I abandoned the hope of his company. I then went to several of the most steady of the quarter-masters, and petty officers of that class, without success. Whether they doubted the possibility of escape, or were deterred by the recollection of the barbarous murders at Bitche, I cannot say; for it was known, that when the commandant of that place had gained intimation of an intended attempt, he suffered the fugitives to reach a certain point, where the gendarmes were concealed, ready to rush in, and murder them. Two sailors, named Marshall and Cox, fell victims to this refined system of republican discipline. A