Page:Statement of the attempted rescue of General Lafayette from Olmutz.djvu/26

 with several occupants, all in chains, some fastened to the wall, others to a long bar, so that they could shuffle from one end of the room to the other. Each hada sort of long bench, as seat and bed, some straw on it, and a thick rug, as if to serve for mattrass and blanket; a pitcher of water, and a loaf of black bread placed near. He was ironed around one ankle and wrist, and the chains fastened high above his head, to a staple in the wall over his bed: Thus provided, he was left to find what repose he could. His companions appeared to be all low criminals, dirty and repulsive in appearance; he understood enough of the language to discover that their talk was of a similar character. They questioned him about himself, and enquired into the nature of the offense which brought him there; and on his explaining, as well as he could, they said, he thought, with increased respect for him: Oh! yours is a political crime; this is not the place for you; they will not keep you here long, which he was not sorry to hear, not then understanding that they thought he might soon be elevated to the scaffold. He felt terribly wearied and excited, and longed for quiet and sleep, but could only obtain snatches of rest, and hardly of forgetfulness, while the horrid forms and faces around him, with their