ur minds so
completely, that we spoke of nothing else. It gave rise to the most
extravagant conjectures, and the hope of seeing, once more, the dear
ones torn so cruelly from us, was revived in our hearts. This news
was deficient, however, in one respect: it left us ignorant of the
fate of those who, like us, had been exiled from St. Gabriel.

"That uncertainty cast a gloom over our hopes which marred our joy and
happiness, and increased our anxiety.

"Our suspense became unbearable, and we finally discussed seriously
the expediency of emigrating to Louisiana. The more timid among us
represented the temerity and folly of such an undertaking, but the
desire to seek our brother exiles grew keener every day, and became so
deeply rooted in our minds, that we concluded to leave for Louisiana,
where the banner of France waved over true French hearts.

"We announced our determination to our benefactors, the Brent and
Smith families, and, undismayed by the perils that awaited us, and the
obstacles we had to overcome, we prepared for our pilgrimage from
Maryland to Louisiana.

"Our friends used all their eloquence to dissuade us from our resolve,
but we resisted all their entreaties, although we were deeply touched
by this new proof of their friendship. We disposed of the articles
that we could not carry along with us, and kept our wagons and horses
to transport the women and children, and the baggage. In all, we
numbered two hundred persons, and of these, fifty were well armed, and
ready to face any danger.

"We journeyed slowly; the wagons moved in the centre, while twenty men
in advance, and as many in the rear marched four abreast. Ten of the
bravest and most active of our young men took the lead a short
distance ahead of the column, and formed our advance guard. Our forces
were distributed in this wise, petiots, for our safety, as the road
lay through mountain defiles, and in a wild and dreary country
inhabited by Indians.

"We secured, as scouts and guides, two Indians well known to the Brent
family, and in whom, we were told, we could place the most implicit
confidence. We had occasion, more than once, to find how fortunate we
had been to secure their services. We set out on our journey with
sorrow. We were parting with friends kind and generous; friends who
had relieved us in our needs, and who had proved true as steel, and
loving as brothers. We were parting from them, lured with hopes which
might prove illusory