Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/192

 together, that he became really attached to us, and, on the recital of our hardships and sufferings, he was so struck with the view of our camp, which was fortified with twigs made into basket work, that the kind-hearted boy burst into a flood of tears. We learnt from him, that his mother had been to Bruges, but that not finding Moitier at home, she was afraid to say a word to his wife. She had, however, seen Mansell, who was concealed in the house, he told her that he had not been able to procure money, and that he had gone out to Windmill Wood, but that his search for us had been ineffectual; she also learnt that Moitier was gone into Holland, and was expected back in the course of the week. All this the boy related with as much feeling as if he thought our situation the most deplorable and wretched that human nature could endure; he promised to bring us bread, and eggs, so long as we remained in the neighbourhood, but thought it much better to be in prison than to perish, with cold, in the woods.

In order to recompense him for his