myself cantering before a steady breeze over an ocean of enchantment,
so well pleased with my voyage that I cared not how long it might be
ere it reached its termination. And it was in this manner that I
first took to the paths of knowledge." {11a}

In the spring of 1810 the regiment was ordered to Norman Cross, in
Huntingdonshire, situated at the junction of the Peterborough and
Great North Roads. At this spot the Government had caused to be
erected in 1796 an extensive prison, covering forty acres of ground,
in which to confine some of the prisoners made during the Napoleonic
wars. There were sixteen large buildings roofed with red tiles.
Each group of four was surrounded by a palisade, whilst another
palisade "lofty and of prodigious strength" surrounded the whole. At
the time when the West Norfolk Militia arrived there were some six
thousand prisoners, who, with their guards, constituted a
considerable-sized township. From time to time fresh batches of
captives arrived amid a storm of cheers and cries of "Vive
L'Empereur!" These were the only incidents in the day's monotony,
save when some prisoner strove to evade the hospitality of King
George, and was shot for his ingratitude.

Captain Borrow rejoined his regiment at Norman C Cross, leaving his
family to follow a few days later. At the time the country round
Peterborough was under water owing to the recent heavy rains, and at
one portion of the journey the whole party had to embark in a species
of punt, which was towed by horses "up to the knees in water, and, on
coming to blind pools and 'greedy depths,' were not unfrequently
swimming." {11b} But they were all old campaigners and accepted such
adventures as incidents of a soldier's life.