CHAPTER X

The Banks of the Rhine--Contemplations on crossing the River irregularly--Difficulties of finding a legal Passage--Mistaking two armed Officers for two harmless Fishermen--An appeal to Feelings, and a national Assurance of Patriotism--Cattle crossing the Bridge of Kehl--An Intermixture with the Cattle, and a Passage over the Rhine--Joy of being out of France--A Progress towards Friburg--Contrast between a warm Featherbed and bivouacking in the Mud--An innocent Landlord clever at a Guess--An Escape round Friburg--A Night’s Rest--_En route_ to Constance--A Village Inn--A Countryman for a Waiter, and a long Gossip upon Personal Histories and Native Places--The Inconsistencies of Superstition and Hunger--My Approach to Constance--Effects on the Mind produced by its magnificent Scenery and beautiful Lake--Crossing a Branch of Lake Constance--Leaving the Kingdom of Würtemberg and entering the Kingdom of Bavaria--A Night’s rest in a Bavarian Village--_La route_ to Lindau--Outmarching an Enemy--The Gate to Lindau--Successfully passing the Sentinels--Elation of Spirits--An awkward Querist--Unsuccessful Invention--A Capture--Examination and Imprisonment--Bitter Reflections upon my cruel Destiny Page 146