1827.] Frt'iwli Prison of Valenciennes. 491 



coast, remaining behind the sand-hills as before, until the tide rose within a few 

 feet of one of the vessels which was found embedded in the ice and snow; we, 

 however, jumped on board, and, in this situation, remained about twenty minutes, 

 in the anxious hope that every succeeding wave would lift her bows ; but the tide 

 ebbing, we were obliged to retire. The next night, we again proceeded to * Myn- 

 lieerV house, who seemed to consider it the last time they should see us. 

 * To-morrow,' he observed, ' we shall all be chez nous.' When the tide had risen 

 within a few feet of its utmost height, Hunter and myself got on board the same 

 vessel as before, and made several preparations, that there might be no delay or 

 confusion when she floated. So soon as all was ready, we ran to the other two, 

 with the joyful information. On our way thither, Hunter expressed some doubt, 

 which proved nothing but an untimely difference of opinion. The exact state of 

 the vessel I represented to Whitehurst and Mansell, who, always ready to run any 

 risk rather than suffer the slightest chance of success to escape, coincided with me 

 in the propriety of making the attempt: Hunter, believing it useless, declined 

 attending. Nevertheless, we three instantly repaired on board, let slip the stern- 

 fasts, and began to heave upon the bow hawser. Each wave, as it rolled in, lifted 

 the vessel, and having hove a taught strain, she crept seaward about a foot everv rise, 

 falling upon the sand with a shock almost sufficient to drive the mast through her 

 bottom. We exerted every nerve, and had got her out about ten fathoms, when, to 

 our mortification, the tide receded faster than we could heave a-head : soon after, 

 she became imrnoveable. On jumping ashore, Hunter rejoined us, and, injustice 

 I should add, was extremely distressed at his previous decision, as the result 

 proved that his additional strength would have enabled us to get to sea. We were 

 thus obliged to return to the * Cat.' " 



Again, on the 1 7th of February, they are informed that the evening 

 tide will be high enough to float the vessels ; hut, after proceeding to the 

 beach, and " watching the roll of every wave amid ice and snow" for two 

 hours, u the water recedes without even reaching p, single boat." 



On the 4th of March, however, the tide on the 3d having broke upon 

 the hows of two vessels, and being to rise higher on the following night, 

 the last and thirteenth attempt at Blankenberg is made; the result of 

 which is, the most provoking disappointment that even the fancy of a 

 dramatist or a romance writer ever suggested. 



" With heart elate, as in the moment of victory, on the night of the 4th of 

 March, I made my thirteenth and last trip to Blankenberg, and, leaving my com- 

 rades at* Mynheer's' house, went with him to the beach to reconnoitre; when, 

 finding several vessels nearly afloat, we returned to our party with the joyful 

 information. Furnished with provisions and a lantern, we took a friendly leave 

 of Winderkin's family, proceeded silently to the water's edge, and jumped on board 

 the easternmost vessel, in the pleasing confidence of having at length evaded the 

 vigilance of the enemy, and of being on the eve of restoration to our native soil. 

 The wind was fresh and squally from the W. N. W., with a good deal of swell ; the 

 moon, although only three days after the full, was so obscured by dark clouds, 

 that the night was very favourable for bur purpose. The vessel was moored by five 

 hawsers two ahead, and three astern. It was arranged that Whitehurst and 

 Mansell should throw overboard the latter Hunter and myself the former: this 

 was preferred to cutting them. We had been so long in Flanders, and received 

 such protection from the natives, that all harsh feeling which might have existed 

 towards an enemy was so mellowed into compassion for their sufferings under the 

 Corsican yoke, that we were unwilling to injure one of them, and therefore had 

 determined, if in our power, to send back the craft, which, being a fishing 

 ' schuyt/ might probably be the only support of an indigent family. Whilst White- 

 hurst and Mansell were executing the duty allotted to them, Hunter and myself 

 got ready the foresail, and paid* overboard one of the hawsers. The tide now 



* " Let run fathom after fathom." 



3R2 



