Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/41

 fallen asleep in drunkenness; we, however, marched on without them. On the 19th, we slept at Gourdon; on the 20th, at Martel; and on the 21st, after marching over rocks and hills, in a wretched country, broke suddenly upon a most beautiful view over an extensive and rich valley, in the centre of which rises the town of Brive. Scarcely had we sat down to dinner at this place, when we were surprised by the gendarmes, who, from a state of consternation on account of the apprehended loss of their prisoners, became as much elated, when they found we were all present. On the 22nd, notwithstanding the weather was stormy, we were obliged to proceed, but, by the consent of the guards, hired mules, and got that night into Uzerches, a distance of about thirty-five miles; the next day we reached Limoges, and were conducted to the door of the prison; but there making a firm stand, in spite of the threats of the colonel, succeeded in obtaining permission from the general, to be quartered in an inn. A strong guard of veterans was, however,