Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/30

 *tance, will best judge of the pleasure we experienced on that occasion; certainly his ravenous guests did ample justice to his genuine hospitality. During our sojourn at Nismes, the nationality of Englishmen was conspicuously shown forth in the assiduous attention of the "déténus" towards their captive countrymen; indeed, they considerably allayed the ennui and mortification of captivity, by confidently assuring us, that an exchange of prisoners had been arranged between the two governments, and that in six weeks we might rest satisfied of a happy return to the service of our country. In the full expectation of this desirable event, I availed myself of every opportunity, in the mean time, of acquiring some trifling knowledge of the French language. They also made a subscription for the men, which I distributed amongst them in equal portions.

About this time, Mr. Danderson, the master of the Transport, was kind enough to cash Whitehurst a draft for twenty pounds, by which means we fared much