Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/243

 that, with a heart throbbing almost to suffocation, regardless of the numerous spectators, I fell down, and kissed, with rapture, the blessed land of liberty.

After a short conversation with the harbour master, to our surprise and disappointment, we found that foreigners were not allowed to land here, but were ordered to Dover; although convinced that they were in perfect safety, we felt it a point of honour, not to have even the appearance of deserting those, to whom we were indebted for the happiness we now enjoyed: though the impatience to embrace our long-lost families, (mine only eight miles distant), may be more easily conceived than expressed. We therefore determined to accompany, and see them comfortably placed in a public house. To this end, I returned to the smack, the master of which agreed to run us down. Before making sail, I wrote a note to one of my brothers, residing at Margate, apprizing him of my arrival, that he might communicate it to my family. We reached Dover about eight P. M., but not being permitted to