Narrative of an Escape from the Xov. 



only for a few mitiutes, and then, par complaisance, I will believe you.' Her per- 

 severing deportment, bearing the almost certain stamp of sincerity, together with 

 our hungry inclinations, induced us to accept the invitation, and partake of her 

 luxuries, knowing there could be little danger, as Whitehurst and Mansell were 

 on the look out. During our most comfortable regale, she talked of nothing but 

 her dear English (notwithstanding our repeated endeavour to change the subject), 

 dwelling particularly on the happiness of her former life, when in the service of an 

 English family. She uttered several broken sentences in English, of which we 

 took not the slightest notice, but which confirmed in our minds the idea of her 

 having lived sometime where the language was spoken. Being just about to rise^ 

 furnished with provisions for our companions, a loud rap announced some one at 

 the door : the woman started up, seized me by the arm, and, pushing me into 

 the next room, exclaimed, * Pour 1'amour de Dieu par ici, les grns-d'armes !' 

 Although we felt sure it was Whitehurst, yet we had no objection to see the result, 

 of this manoeuvre, and therefore made no resistance to her wishes, but complied 

 with seeming reluctance. Still, as it was possible he might have knocked to warn 

 us of the approach of some one, we followed her to the back door ; at parting, 

 she took me by the hand, and repeated her assurance of the impossibility of get- 

 ting off from Blankenberg that night, and desired us to return : adding, ' Good 

 night, friends; I shall see you again.' " 



The prophecy of the old lady was not uttered lightly. In fact, our 

 adventurers had, without being aware of it, fallen into the hands of people 

 who were prepared to render them assistance ; and who knew what would 

 be their emergencies, and even what conclusions their emergencies would 

 lead them to, far better than they did themselves. Continuing our march, 

 says Mr. Boys, between twelve and one we entered the village of Blan- 

 kenberg, 



" and finding a foot path leading over the sand-bank, we ran down to the sea, 

 forgetting our wounds, and exulting as though the summit of our wishes was 

 attained, and we were on the point of embarkation. Indeed, so exquisite was 

 the delight, that, regardless of consequences, we dashed into the water, drank of 

 it, and splashed about like playful school-boys, without being the least disconcerted 

 that the few vessels that could be seen were high and dry, close under the battery ; 

 nor will these feelings create surprise, when it is recollected that more than five 

 years had elapsed since we last quitted the sea in the Mediterranean, and that to 

 regain it was considered as surmounting the principal obstacle to final success. But 

 when these first transports had a little subsided, and were succeeded by rational 

 reflection, we could but acutely feel the disappointment ; although, had we been 

 enabled properly to caculate the tides, we might have foreseen this event ; for it 

 was high water on that day about half-past five p. m.; consequently, low water 

 about midnight, and, as the vessels cannot be launched from that flat beach, 

 excepting about the last quarter of the flood, and the first of the ebb tides, we 

 could not have got afloat had we arrived even four hours earlier.'* 



At this moment the clashing of musquets is heard; it is the guard, which 

 has seen the intruders from the heights above, and they make good their 

 retreat by little less than a miracle. On gaining a point where they can 

 pause to breathe with safety, it is determined to be most advisable to 

 revisit the cabaret ; and this course is taken. The hostess receives them 

 in her bedchamber ; orders coffee, and reminds them that " she prophecied 

 they would not get off that night from Blankenberg." She then cuts 

 short a long compliment, with which the author thought of introducing the 

 real truth, by telling him that " she knew him to be an Englishman the 

 moment she saw him :" to which he replies, " that a hundred pounds shall 

 be given to any one who will land him and his companions in England, 

 or put them on board an English ship at sea." She rejoins, that " if they 

 were twenty of them, if they are not in England in three or four days, she 



