Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/127

 to our many narrow escapes from discovery, excited a feeling of gratitude to that omnipotent Being, who in his infinite mercy had thus cast his protecting wings around us.

I have since heard that the first intimation of our departure at Valenciennes was at dawn of day, when, on opening the north gate, the rope was seen, suspended from the parapet. The roll to muster was instantly beaten, and the alarm given to the neighbouring peasantry by the firing of guns. The midshipmen, on whom suspicion first fell, were hurried into ranks, half dressed, and when the names of the absentees were called over, some one tauntingly replied, "Parti pour l' Angleterre;"—this tone of triumph considerably exasperated the gens d'armes, and inflamed the zeal of the pursuers; it also might have had some influence in exciting the solicitude of the commandant for our apprehension. But to give a more adequate idea of the fury of his wrath and disappointment, and also of his determination to recover us, dead or alive, I may add, (as I have since learnt, from