Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/158

 be extended to several days; we must, therefore, be patient, and he would, upon the honour of a Fleming, insure success. On the 4th he sent his daughter to say that all was well, and he would be with us in the evening. He kept his word: to insure his fidelity, we divided our money as before agreed, between him and Madame Derikre, having previously paid her the greater part of our twenty "louis" for food.

We now bade adieu to the "Cat," and, accompanied by Madame Derikre and Winderkins, proceeded to Blankenberg. After leaving us some time behind the sand-hills, the latter returned with information that he could not find the fisherman who had undertaken to embark us. It was instantly determined to seize one of the schuyts; we accordingly ran down to the beach, preceded by Winderkins as a look out, gave him his bill, and leaped on board the outermost vessel; the sails were arranged and every thing speedily prepared for weighing. The night was dark, we sat silent as the grave, waiting with intense anxiety, until the tide, which was then flowing, should