Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/95

 watchful commandant be the more excited; for he would rather have lost ten seamen, than one of those insolent midshipmen. Ricketts, viewing with more coolness, the chances of failure and success, in all their bearings, and being aware that we were still ignorant of the difficulties to be encountered, in our progress to the upper citadel, did not appear so sanguine as ourselves. These difficulties, however, scarcely arrested our attention; for we were so wrapped up in the enchanting idea of sweet liberty, the glorious prospect of proving the inefficacy of "locks, bolts, and fortresses," and the still stronger incentive of again wearing arms in the service of our country, that no obstacle could damp our ardour. About five P. M. on the day fixed for our departure, I was walking with Ricketts, and discussing the proposed plans, which were then ripe for execution, when Cadell came up, and told us that Rochfort had just been seized with headache and fever, so violent as to require his being immediately put to bed. This I could not credit, until made an eye witness of the fact. Struck with astonish