Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/217

 prevailing one was, that he thought to make a greater profit by thus embarking us in detail; it was, however, sufficient to exonerate Mansell, in my mind, from any suspicion which might have existed, of his not having done all that he could for us. About two o'clock, Moitier returned, introducing Auguste Crens Neirinks. After some little preamble, it was agreed, that this Flemish "Chevalier d' industrie" should find us a place of concealment; Moitier was to go to Verdun, with my bills, to my friend Wills, who, I knew, would risk his all to serve me; and, on his return, to hire, or purchase, a boat for us. The success of my trip being thus complete, the next step was to communicate it to Whitehurst and Hunter, and get them into town in safety. Madame Derikre, whom anxiety to learn the result of the interview had detained in a neighbouring public-house, was now despatched with these auspicious tidings. On her arrival, she sent her son into the woods, to bring its forlorn inmates to Bruges, where they arrived, just before the shutting of the gates, and were conducted