Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/38

 self exaltation, for which the generality of French travellers are so famed; indeed, his every act and expression, whether flowing from head or heart, evinced that nature had bestowed upon him her choicest gifts, in bountiful profusion. During our stay at Auch, we had unrestricted liberty, and could ramble about the country at pleasure. On the 11th of December, an order arrived from Paris to send us to Verdun, and we were to set out the following day. Our finances being reduced to a very low ebb, we consulted our truly noble friend, who, not enduring the thought of our travelling such a distance, in the depth of winter, with nothing more than soldiers' allowance, persuaded the bankers to lend me twenty pounds on a draft; this timely supply gave new vigour to our spirits, and enabled us to fortify ourselves against the inclemencies of the weather. At noon, we took leave of our worthy friend, and departed; and, arriving in the evening at Beaumont, we were very comfortably housed, yet strictly guarded. The next day, reaching Montauban, after