Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/111

 the bond which had enchained us for more than five years. This letter was left with Ricketts to be dropped on the following day near the "corps de garde." At half-past seven P. M., we assembled, armed with clasped knives, and each provided with a paper of fine pepper, upon which we placed our chief dependance; for, in case of being closely attacked, we intended throwing a handful into the eyes of the assailants, and running away. The plan was, that Hunter and myself were to depart first, fix the rope, and open the opposing doors; a quarter of an hour afterwards, Whitehurst and Mansell were to follow: by these means we diminished the risk attendant on so large a body as four moving together, and secured the advantage of each depending more upon his own care; for if Hunter and myself were shot in the advance, the other two would remain in safety, and if, on the contrary, they were discovered, we hoped to have time, during the alarm, to gain the country. Our intentions were, to march to the sea side, and range the coast to Breskins, in