The exiles would not touch the beans in the bucket—although they had eaten nothing for thirty-six hours—either because they were disgusted with their appearance, or because the guards had not seen fit to give them either spoons or forks; and, as they had to leave the door open in order to admit the air, they were obliged to submit to the jeers of the soldiers, who finally grew so offensive in their language that Pichegru, forgetting that he no longer held command over them, ordered them to be silent.
"You will do well to hold your tongue yourself," replied one of them; "you had better be careful, you are not out of our hands yet."
"How old are you?" asked Pichegru, seeing that he looked very young.
"Sixteen," replied the soldier.
"Gentlemen," said Pichegru, "if ever we return to France we must not forget this child; he promises well."
[CHAPTER XXXV]
FAREWELL, FRANCE!
Five hours elapsed before the vessel got under way; she did so at last, however, and after sailing for an hour, she stopped in the open roadstead. It was nearly midnight.