Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/79

 gaining a hill, we gradually opened upon a rich plain, watered by the Meuse, on the borders of which, stands the town of Sedan, having a citadel, with ramparts in a most dilapidated state, which we viewed with secret pleasure, for there appeared but little difficulty in getting clear of the town, if we could but evade the vigilance of the guard, and understanding, that here our quarters for the night had been ordered, we were the more elated. Our march into the town was attended by a numerous rabble of ragged wonderers, and instead of being conducted to prison, as was expected, we were halted at a public-house; on reconnoitring the premises, a closet window was discovered, through which we could get upon the roof, and by the aid of a line, let ourselves down into the river, and swim over. Scarcely were our arrangements made, when we were surprised by the word to muster, again ordered into the waggons, and proceeded on our journey. We were not, however, less firm in the determination to avail ourselves of the first opportunity of ma