Life of the last Earl of Stirling

PRISONER OF WAR. 19
"the same time presenting- what he called 'La carte.' I
"selected two of the dishes, chops and vegetables. These
11 were of the coarsest quality and gave a flavour best
"described in French by the term ' gargote ' (pot-house). I
" was almost sick, and the smell arising from this food was
" enough to deprive me of any appetite I had previously felt.
" It was with difficulty I could swallow a portion of the
11 disgusting meal, and a few tumblers of the wine set before
" me, which was harsh and sour. While I was eating, a
" circle of debtors was gradually formed round me. They
"had discovered that I was an Englishman, and now I was
" much beset by my fellow-prisoners. One offered to be my
"valet; another hoped I would let him clean my boots; a
" third cautioned me (in English) against the others and told
"me he had been a gentleman's servant in England during
" the last peace. He detailed his adventures in fluent
" English, but I was unable to attend to him as I was pushed
"first on one side and then on the other as the crowd
" increased around me, and as different debtors came up
"on various pretences to ask me questions and give me
"advice. One or two, pointing - to the man who spoke
" English, called him a Dodging Knave (ruse" fripon).
"This scene was becoming very disagreeable and annoying,
"and the sickening smell prevading the dingy coffee room,
"arising no doubt from the close pressure of the groups
" of individuals, were strangely affecting my nerves when the
"sound of a bell and the appearance of the Turnkeys,
" with lighted candles, was the signal for a general move. It
" was the hour for locking-up. I had brought nothing with
" me, not expecting when I left home that my enemy would
"succeed in getting me committed to prison. A small
" bundle, however, and a short note from one of my friends,
" was handed me while I was dining. The note merely bade
"me rest assured that everything possible would be done
" to effect my liberation, and that meanwhile it was my duty
" to bear up with courage and confidence in friends who
" would not desert me.
" One of the Turnkeys having desired me to follow him,
" I was led to a distant door opening from the gallery into
"which I had first entered on my arrival. Unlocking the
" door, I was shewn into a room with three miserable beds,
"one of which was already occupied by a pale consumptive-
" looking man about 60 years of age, and another man with
"twinkling eyes and a most evil expression of countenance
" was undressing as fast as possible by the side of his prison
"bed. I was simple enough to draw back on seeing the
" place destined for me, and to ask the Turnkey if I could