All was very quiet, and I was agreeably surprised to find with what order and method everything was conducted.

At about four o'clock this morning we passed through one of the gates, outside there were patrols coming and going, and I could see numerous regiments on each side of the road, some in tents, others sleeping in the open air, or trying to do so, for the nights are already very chilly.

We were stopped almost every two minutes, and my friend had to explain who and what he was.

At last we reached a fort.

Here we had a long parley before we were admitted.