CHAPTER VII.
IN QUEST OF FORTUNE.
When the war came to an end my occupation was gone, for both circumstances and my own will compelled me to leave the army.

My allowance could no longer be continued.

At the best, the life of a lieutenant of dragoons in peace time would have been little to my liking; with no other resource than my pay, it would have been intolerable.

So I sent in my papers, and resolved to seek my fortune in South America.

After the payment of my debts (incurred partly in the purchase of my first commission) and the provision of my outfit, the sum left at my disposal was comparatively trifling.