Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/170

 Mansell, who, always ready to run any risk, rather than suffer the slightest chance of success to escape, coincided with me in the propriety of making the attempt; Hunter, believing it useless, declined attending. Nevertheless, we three instantly repaired on board, let slip the stern fasts, and began to heave upon the bow hawser. Each wave, as it rolled in, lifted the vessel, and, having hove a taut strain, she crept seaward about a foot every rise, falling upon the sand, with a shock almost sufficient to drive the mast through her bottom. We exerted every nerve, and had got her out about ten fathoms, when, to our mortification the tide receded faster than we could heave a head; soon after, she became immoveable. On jumping ashore, Hunter rejoined us, and, in justice I should add, was exceedingly distressed at his previous decision, as the result proved that his additional strength would have enabled us to get to sea. We were thus obliged to return to the "Cat." In the morning, Winderkins intreated us to remain quiet, as various rumours, relative to the moving