Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/107

 allowed me to anticipate none but the happiest results. The thought of having lost so many years from the service of my country, during an active war, had frequently embittered hours which would otherwise have been cheerful and merry, and now proved a stimulant to perseverance, exceeded only by that which arose from the desire I felt, to impress upon the minds of the Frenchmen, the inefficacy of vigilance and severity, to enchain a British officer, when compared with that milder, and more certain mode of securing his person—confiding in his honour. As the sun declined, our excitement increased. Our plans had been conducted with profound secresy, only our most confidential friends entertaining the slightest suspicion of our intention. At the usual hour we retired to rest; at half-past eleven we arose, and, in preparation for our departure, went into the midshipmen's little yard, unspliced the well-rope, and returned to the apartment. Desirous of bidding adieu to our messmates, the six who slept in the room were awakened.