Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/205

 *bidden any further communication between us, by refusing to admit Madame Derikre; I determined, in spite of his previous threat, to have nothing to do with the affair, if I attempted to approach his house, to go to Bruges, and see him myself; nor was this a hasty, though then an unconcerted resolution; for, notwithstanding we had been nearly a month in this dreary wilderness, exposed to the severest weather, our clothes worn to threads,—notwithstanding my comrades had hitherto evinced no impatience at the doubtful result of our protracted sufferings, which they would have seen multiplied to the utmost extremity of human endurance, rather than have been taken; and, notwithstanding my confidence in their perseverance; yet so strong was their repugnance to separation, and my belief of their disapproving of the attempt, that I judged it more prudent to take this step, without consulting them, than to enter into a discussion which might create an unpleasant difference of opinion; and, as it could not involve them in danger, the disgrace, and