Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/224

 spirits, took leave of our friends, and embarked in the night passage-boat, by the canal, to Ghent; where we arrived the next morning, about nine, without meeting with any unpleasant occurrence. I took but little notice of my sister, there being several passengers in the boat who knew her. After our baggage was inspected, we took up our quarters in a tavern, in one of the squares, and sent our passports to the "municipalité," to be examined, and countersigned. Neirinks having received orders from Moitier, to go to Antwerp and Flushing, to see, if Peter, the smuggler, had returned from taking Mansell to England, I directed him to make himself acquainted with the state and number of the vessels of war, in those parts; also, with all the military strength in the neighbourhood; and he proved himself most discreet and indefatigable in obtaining this information. After Neirinks' departure, Mademoiselle and I amused ourselves by walking about the town, and visiting the fair. In this singular situation, I passed one of my pleasantest days during my