Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/156

 who would either land us in England, or put us on board an English man of war; and promised information on the subject the following day. In continual expectation of the happy hour of departure, we remained in our snug retreat; receiving frequent messages from Winderkins until the 1st of December, when he appeared, attributing his delay to the precautions necessary to be taken on so critical an occasion; but having at length succeeded, we were to hold ourselves in readiness to depart that night. Soon after eight P. M. furnished with a few provisions, we quitted the "Cat", leaving with Madame Derikre bills to the amount of £50, reserving the other fifty for Winderkins and the boatmen. In an hour we reached Blankenberg; following our guide down the beach to the eastward of the village, and concealing ourselves amongst the sand-hills, whilst he went to apprise the fisherman of our arrival. In this position we remained about two hours, Winderkins occasionally returning and desiring us to be particularly silent, there being several men