Paris was a rat-trap still, and though large, I should be cornered sooner or later.
As I ruminated thus, I came to a bridge below which was moored a barge, laden with goods and spread over with its great waterproof sheet, ready to drop down the stream.

How I envied the two men in charge of her, to whom the barrier of the city would offer no obstacle, and who were free to go in and out of the rat-trap as they pleased! Apparently they were not so sensible of their good fortune as I was, for they were quarrelling angrily, and filling the air with their insults and recriminations.
"Villain! robber!" I heard one say, who seemed to be assistant to the other, "I demand what is due to me." "It will be paid you at Rouen, fool," said the other.
"I shall not be there to receive it," snarled the other.

"I will have it here, or nowhere." "What, you will dare to desert! It is treason against the Republic whom we serve.

I will denounce you." "Idiot, I defy you," exclaimed the man, stripping off his jersey and flinging his red cap on the deck.

"I spit on your Republic which does not pay its debts!" "I promise you shall receive all arrears at Rouen," replied the other.
"I am under penalties to reach Havre in a week." The mutineer laughed savagely.
"Pay me what you owe me, and you shall reach it." "At Rouen," persisted the skipper.
"No! here, I tell you." The skipper's reply was to make a grab at his companion, who, however, was quick enough to elude him and jump ashore.
"There, thief and robber, villain and assassin, I wash my hands of you! I have done with you.