I even encouraged her to hope for
the best; and, addressing myself to the robbers in French, begged,
in the most suppliant manner, that they would spare our lives; upon
which one of them, who was a little fellow, assured me, in the same
language, that we had nothing to fear for our persons.
"When we were conveyed in a state of dreadful suspense about
three-quarters of a mile into the wood, the ruffians came into
the coach, and, taking my keys, which I kept ready in my hand for
them, opened three large trunks that contained my baggage, and
emptying them of everything but my hoops and a few books, packed
up their booty in a cloth; then robbed me of my money and jewels,
even to my shoe-buckles and sleeve-buttons, took my footman's laced
hat, and gave it, by way of gratification, to a peasant, who came
from behind the bushes, and assisted them in packing.
"This affair being despatched, they ordered us to return to the
road by a different way from that in which we were carried into the
wood; and mounting their horses, rode off with the plunder, though
not before the little fellow, who was the least ferocious of the
two, had come and shaken me by the hand, wishing us a good journey; a
compliment which I heartily returned, being extremely well pleased
with the retreat of two such companions, who had detained us a
whole half-hour; during which, notwithstanding the assurance I had
received, I was in continual apprehension of seeing their operation
concluded with the murder of us all; for I supposed they were of
that gang who had some time before murdered a French officer, and
used a lady extremely ill, after having rifled her of all she had.
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