Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/219

 sent provisions by our fellow lodger. It was not until the 10th of April, that we were certain of Moitier's departure for Verdun. At this time, Neirinks introduced me to his family, consisting of an elderly mother, and her daughters, Mary and Pauline, with whom I frequently passed the evening, exciting the commiseration of these kind-hearted girls, by the relation of my adventures. Moitier being now gone with dispatches to Wills, and not likely to return for ten days, it occurred to me, that I might make an effort in the interval, to release Moyses, who, it will be recollected, was at Givet. Although, at first sight, the idea may appear a mere flight of the imagination, it led to such delightful reflections, and so much in harmony with my feelings towards him, that I indulged in them almost without intermission the whole day, and when Neirinks came in the evening, I mentioned it to him; but, finding he did not enter into the spirit of the enterprize, with a zeal promising success, I thought of going alone, and consulted Whitehurst and Hun