their windows, was lying the comrade whose escape they were celebrating?  As for me—­I could look down upon this poor herd of idle warriors, as they paced about the great exercise yard, or gathered in little groups, gesticulating joyfully over my success.  Once I heard a howl of execration, and I saw Beaumont, his head all covered with bandages, being led across the yard by two of the warders.  I cannot tell you the pleasure which this sight gave me, for it proved that I had not killed him, and also that the others knew the true story of what had passed.  They had all known me too well to think that I could have abandoned him.

All that long day I lay behind my screen of bushes, listening to the bells which struck the hours below.

My pockets were filled with bread which I had saved out of my allowance, and on searching my borrowed overcoat I came upon a silver flask, full of excellent brandy and water, so that I was able to get through the day without hardship.  The only other things in the pockets were a red silk handkerchief, a tortoise-shell snuff-box, and a blue envelope, with a red seal, addressed to the Governor of Dartmoor Prison.  As to the first two, I determined to send them back when I should return the coat itself.

The letter caused me more perplexity, for the Governor had always shown me every courtesy, and it offended my sense of honour that I should interfere with his correspondence.  I had almost made up my mind to leave it under a stone upon the roadway within musket-shot of the gate.  This would guide them in their search for me, however, and so, on the whole, I saw no better way than just to carry the letter with me in the hope that I might find some means of sending it back to him.  Meanwhile I packed it safely away in my inner-most pocket.

There was a warm sun to dry my clothes, and when night fell I was ready for my journey.  I promise you that there were no mistakes this time.  I took the stars for my guides, as every hussar should be taught to do, and I put eight good leagues between myself and the prison.  My plan now was to obtain a complete suit of clothes from the first person whom I could waylay, and I should then find my way to the north coast, where there were many smugglers and fishermen who would be ready to earn the reward which was paid by the Emperor to those who brought escaping prisoners across the Channel.  I had taken the panache from my shako so that it might escape notice, but even with my fine overcoat I feared that sooner or later my uniform would betray me.  My first care must be to provide myself with a complete disguise.

When day broke, I saw a river upon my right and a small town upon my left—­the blue smoke reeking up above the moor.  I should have liked well to have entered it, because it would have interested me to see something of the customs of the English, which differ very much from those of other nations.  Much as I should have wished, however, to have seen them eat their raw meat and sell their wives, it would have been dangerous until I had got rid of my uniform.  My cap, my moustache, and my speech would all help to betray me.  I continued to travel towards the north therefore, looking about me continually, but never catching a glimpse of my pursuers.