every now and then tightening the cord, so as to keep me trotting upon the very extremity of the toes, to obtain relief; then again loosening it, as occasional guttural symptoms of strangulation seemed to indicate necessity. Vain would be the attempt to convey an adequate idea of the impotent rage then boiling within me, at the insult offered to my juvenile dignity, whilst a determined naughtiness disdained to betray the slightest indication of submission or complain . My companions were secured round the middle, with the utmost violence and brutality; thus we were conducted to town, and when delivered over to the proper authorities and interrogated, were released. the next morning I waited on the senior officer. Captain Woodriffe, who, with a promptitude which did honour to his feelings, and indignation worthy of a British officer, immediately represented the fact to General Wirion, (commander-in-chief at Verdun,) who assured him the gens-d’armes should be ordered into solitary confinement.
“In July, 1808, three midshipmen were taken in the very act of violating their parole. This afforded Wirion an opportunity of representing the whole class, (including warrant officers and masters of merchant vessels) as contumacious and refractory: he further assured the minister of war, that nothing but extreme rigour and close confinement could insure the persons of these ‘très mauvais sujets,’ and that Verdun was inadequate to their security. The result was an order for the whole class to be removed; and on the 7th of August, ongoing to the afternoon ‘appel,’ we were arrested, to the number of 142, and sent to the citadel. * * * * * The previous occurrence of similar events, though on a minor scale as to numbers, warned us to prepare for an early departure, but not a word to that effect escaped the commanding officer until late at night. * * * * * At dawn of day, the drum summoned us to muster. We were drawn up in two ranks; one of 73, destined for Valenciennes and Givet, the other of 69, for Sarre Louis and other dêpots, to the eastward. The northern expedition being ready, we were placed two by two, upon bundles of straw, in five waggons, and set out, escorted by the greater part of the horse gens-d’armerie of the district, aided by infantry. * * * * My most intimate friend and brother midshipman, Moyses, was of the party, and we had agreed to avail ourselves of the first opportunity to decamp; this, however, appeared almost hopeless. In the evening we arrived at Stenay, having travelled about twenty miles * * * *. Parole had, hitherto, tended to reconcile me to captivity; but being now deprived of that honourable confidence, and feeling my pride wounded, at the oppressive act of punishing the innocent for the guilty, no obstacle could avert my intention of finally executing what I now felt a duty; and it was cheering to find, that, in these feelings, my friend most cordially participated.”
Having concocted their scheme as well as they could, Messrs. Boys and Moyses kept watch for an opportunity, but
