7
a treatment which he had no reason to imagine would be of long duration. But he had yet no idea of the inexorable cruelty of his father. Contrary to his expectations, he was detained a prisoner two years. At length the doors of his prison were opened and he heard this sentence announced: "You must either give your word of honour to enter into holy orders, or go out a cadet to the East-Indies." "I do not hesitate a moment. answered St, Andre; I shall rejoice to leave a country which is now a foreign one to me, since it no longer contains either a father, a relation, or a friend." This answer determined his fate: he was sent to Brest, where he embarked two days later.
A fine constitution, however, enabled him to support the most severe fatigues: while fortitude and bravery rendered him superior to misfortune. He distinguished himself greatly; he rose to preferment and soon emerged from poverty and obscurity These early successes were productive of others more advantageous still. Having acquired reputation and friends, he was affiliated in several enterprises, which in a
