Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/141

 for the sake of distinction, was termed Windmill Wood. This was the second fine day since leaving Valenciennes, and the sun, diffusing its benign influence throughout our whole frame, so renovated our strength, that, forgetting our wounds, we felt equal to the severest trials. At sun-set, the fort was again broken up, and, having had time during the day to consult the map, we marched directly to the bridge over the canal, doubled the town to the westward, and gained the road to the coast. About ten, being exceedingly fatigued from the difficulty of walking in the lacerated state of our feet, we thought of halting for the night; judging this more prudent, than going into danger with the certainty of being unequal to any sudden effort, or rapid retreat; however, unwilling to lose an hour, and dreading the probability of becoming worse and weaker, we determined to proceed. About eleven, having gained only a mile in three quarters of an hour, we were compelled to halt, and bivouac'd in an adjoining copse, exposed to repeated showers.