o say before a
superior officer that I was very desirous to see what was going on on
the ramparts and in the forts at night, but that I had as yet been
foiled in my endeavours to do so, when he told me that he would take me
to both, provided in any account that I might give of them I would not
mention localities, which might get him into trouble, or in general
anything which might afford aid and comfort to the enemy. Of course I
accepted his offer, and at eleven o'clock P.M. we started on horseback.
We soon struck the Rue des Remparts, and dismounted. Along the top of
the ramparts there was a line of sentinels. They were so numerous in
some places that they almost touched each other. Every few minutes the
cry, "Sentinelles, prenez garde a vous," went along. Behind them grandes
gardes and other patrols were continually passing, and we could hardly
move a step without being obliged to give the password, with a bayonet
in close proximity to our chests. The National Guards were sleeping, in
some places in tents, in others in huts, and I found many more in the
neighbouring houses. Here and there there was a canteen, where warm
coffee and other such refreshments were sold, and in some places
casemates were already built. In the bastions there were camps of
Artillerymen, Mobiles, and Nationaux. All was very quiet, and I was
agreeably surprised to find with what order and method everything was
conducted. At about four o'clock this morning we passed through one of
the gates, outside there were patrols coming and going, and I could see
numerous regiments on each side of the road, some in tents, others
sleeping in the open air, or trying to do so, for the nights are already
very chilly. We were stopped almost every two minutes, and my friend had
to explain who and what he was. At last we reached a fort. Here we had a
long parley before we were admitted. When we got in, the day was
breaking. We were taken into the room of the Commandant, with whom my
friend had some business to transact. He was a sailor, and from his cool
and calm demeanour, I am convinced that he will give a good account of
himself if he is attacked. In the fort there were Mobiles and soldiers,
and by the guns stood the sailors. I talked to several of them as they
leant against their guns, or walked up and down as though they were
keeping watch on deck. None of them had left the fort for the last three
weeks, and they seemed to have no particular desire to go "on sh