Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/160

 In the morning, Winderkins sent to say, he had reason to suspect the fisherman had proved treacherous; that we had better not quit the "Cat," being there in perfect security; and that a day or two of patience might save us years of misery. The soundness of this reasoning made us content in the loft, until the evening of the 9th, when he came, and exultingly congratulated us upon the present certainty of success. "In two days," said Mynheer, "you shall be with your families, for I have now found a fisherman who will undertake the job, provided his vessel be restored to him;" of this we gave him every assurance, and he left us. After so irksome a state of suspense, we were the more elated at the now flattering prospect of a speedy restoration to our native shore. On the 10th he returned, damping our hopes with information, that, in consequence of the appearance of several English vessels of war, all the fishing smacks were hauled above high water mark. Suspecting such repeated excuses originated either in fear, or incapacity to fulfil his engagement, it was de