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The mules were so frightened； that they went off at the gallop； and Joseph； for some minutes； could neither manage the reins； nor open his mouth。 At length he recollected himself； and the cattle were stopt； by the assistance of the servant； to whom he delivered the musquetoon； with a significant shake of the head。 Then alighting from the box； he examined the heads of his three mules； and kissed each of them in his turn。 Finding they had received no damage； he came up to the coach； with a pale visage and staring eyes； and said it was God's mercy he had not killed his beasts。 I answered； that it was a greater mercy he had not killed his passengers； for the muzzle of the piece might have been directed our way as well as any other； and in that case Joseph might have been hanged for murder。 〃I had as good be hanged （said he） for murder； as be ruined by the loss of my cattle。〃 This adventure made such an impression upon him； that he recounted it to every person we met； nor would he ever touch the blunderbuss from that day。 I was often diverted with the conversation of this fellow； who was very arch and very communicative。 Every afternoon； he used to stand upon the foot…board； at the side of the coach； and discourse with us an hour together。 Passing by the gibbet of Valencia； which stands very near the high…road； we saw one body hanging quite naked； and another lying broken on the wheel。 I recollected； that Mandrin had suffered in this place； and calling to Joseph to mount the foot…board； asked if he had ever seen that famous adventurer。 At mention of the name of Mandrin； the tear started in Joseph's eye； he discharged a deep sigh； or rather groan； and told me he was his dear friend。 I was a little startled at this declaration； however； I concealed my thoughts； and began to ask questions about the character and exploits of a man who had made such noise in the world。
He told me； Mandrin was a native of Valencia； of mean extraction： that he had served as a soldier in the army； and afterwards acted as maltotier； or tax…gatherer： that at length he turned contrebandier； or smuggler； and by his superior qualities； raised himself to the command of a formidable gang； consisting of five hundred persons well armed with carbines and pistols。 He had fifty horses for his troopers； and three hundred mules for the carriage of his merchandize。 His head…quarters were in Savoy： but he made incursions into Dauphine； and set the marechaussee at defiance。 He maintained several bloody skirmishes with these troopers； as well as with other regular detachments； and in all those actions signalized himself by his courage and conduct。 Coming up at one time with fifty of the marechaussee who were in quest of him； he told them very calmly； he had occasion for their horses and acoutrements； and desired them to dismount。 At that instant his gang appeared； and the troopers complied with his request； without making the least opposition。 Joseph said he was as generous as he was brave； and never molested travellers； nor did the least injury to the poor； but； on the contrary； relieved them very often。 He used to oblige the gentlemen in the country to take his merchandize； his tobacco； brandy； and muslins； at his own price； and； in the same manner； he laid the open towns under contribution。 When he had no merchandize； he borrowed money off them upon the credit of what he should bring when he was better provided。 He was at last betrayed； by his wench； to the colonel of a French regiment； who went with a detachment in the night to the place where he lay in Savoy； and surprized him in a wood…house； while his people were absent in different parts of the country。 For this intrusion； the court of France made an apology to the king of Sardinia； in whose territories he was taken。 Mandrin being conveyed to Valencia； his native place； was for some time permitted to go abroad； under a strong guard； with chains upon his legs； and here he conversed freely with all sorts of people； flattering himself with the hopes of a pardon； in which； however； he was disappointed。 An order came from court to bring him to his trial； when he was found guilty； and condemned to be broke on the wheel。 Joseph said he drank a bottle of wine with him the night before his execution。 He bore his fate with great resolution； observing that if the letter which he had written to the King had been delivered； he certainly should have obtained his Majesty's pardon。 His executioner was one of his own gang； who was pardoned on condition of performing this office。 You know； that criminals broke upon the wheel are first strangled； unless the sentence imports； that they shall be broke alive。 As Mandrin had not been guilty of cruelty in the course of his delinquency； he was indulged with this favour。 Speaking to the executioner； whom he had formerly commanded； 〃Joseph （dit il）； je ne veux pas que tu me touche； jusqu'a ce que je sois roid mort；〃 〃Joseph；〃 said he； 〃thou shalt not touch me till I am quite dead。〃Our driver had no sooner pronounced these words； than I was struck with a suspicion； that he himself was the executioner of his friend Mandrin。 On that suspicion； I exclaimed； 〃Ah！ ah！ Joseph！〃 The fellow blushed up to the eyes； and said； Oui； son nom etoit Joseph aussi bien que le mien； 〃Yes； he was called Joseph； as I am。〃 I did not think proper to prosecute the inquiry； but did not much relish the nature of Joseph's connexions。 The truth is； he had very much the looks of a ruffian； though； I must own； his behaviour was very obliging and submissive。
On the fifth day of our journey； in the morning； we passed the famous bridge at St。 Esprit； which to be sure is a great curiosity； from its length； and the number of its arches： but these arches are too small： the passage above is too narrow； and the whole appears to be too slight； considering the force and impetuosity of the river。 It is not comparable to the bridge at Westminster； either for beauty or solidity。 Here we entered Languedoc； and were stopped to have our baggage examined； but the searcher； being tipped with a three…livre piece； allowed it to pass。 Before we leave Dauphine； I must observe； that I was not a little surprized to see figs and chestnuts growing in the open fields； at the discretion of every passenger。 It was this day I saw the famous Pont du Garde； but as I cannot possibly include； in this letter； a description of that beautiful bridge； and of the other antiquities belonging to Nismes； I will defer it till the next opportunity； being； in the mean time； with equal truth and affection；Dear Sir； Your obliged humble Servant。
LETTER X
MONTPELLIER； November 10； 1763。
DEAR SIR；By the Pont St。 Esprit we entered the province of Languedoc； and breakfasted at Bagniole； which is a little paltry town； from whence； however； there is an excellent road through a mountain； made at a great expence； and extending about four leagues。 About five in the afternoon； I had the first glimpse of the famous Pont du Garde； which stands on the right hand； about the distance of a league from the post…road to Nismes； and about three leagues from that city。