Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p1.djvu/113

 , however, being the one preceding the day on which they were to have been transported to Flushing, they effected their escape; and next day, arrived at the village of Oost Duiveland. At this place they hired a boat to take them to Williamstadt, but with the intention of seizing her, and standing out to sea. Want of provisions and water obliging them to abandon the latter part of this project, they then compelled the Dutchmen to put them ashore about seventeen miles from Rotterdam, towards which city they proceeded, along the top of the dikes, in a covered waggon. Their vehicle soon breaking down, they next sought refuge at an inn near the read side, and there joined company with a party of French soldiers, who readily believed their tale, – that they were Americans, and had suffered shipwreck. Whilst they were in this house, some chasseurs, of the same nation, passed by in pursuit of them. At dusk, they took a boat; and, about 9, landed at Rotterdam. They were now in the heart of an enemy’s country, with but little cash, and knew not where to apply for shelter. After some difficulty, however, Mr. Hanchett procured safe lodgings for his young friends; and at length met by accident with a Scotch gentleman (Mr. L____, belonging to a highly respectable mercantile firm), by whom he was ultimately accompanied to Embden. As it was next to impossible that four persons could pass the fort of Schenkenskans together in security, Messrs. Dalyell and Bourne were left behind at Noordwyk, as American youths, sent over to Holland for education.”

The following is taken, nearly verbatim, from the Naval Chronicle:

“There was then residing at Embden, Mr. H. Brown, writer of the letter to the King of Prussia, published in the last volume. He met Messrs. Hanchett and L____ at the White House (Witte Huis) inn, and, after a little conversation, invited them to his lodgings in Kraan-street. Understanding that Messrs. Dalyell and Bourne were in Holland at a school, he mentioned a friend of his, then residing at Amsterdam, of the name of Hofhout, who had served as an officer in the Dutch corps from the time of its formation, who was a man of tried courage, and enthusiastically devoted to the politics of England, as also to the House of Orange. ,To the care and management of this gentleman, it was determined to commit Messrs. Dalyell and Bourne; and as soon as this was arranged, Mr. Brown procured a passage for Lieutenant Hanchett on board an American vessel. His Scotch friend soon afterwards escorted the young gentlemen from Noordwyk to Amsterdam, took their drafts for what money they required, and delivered them to the care of Mr. Hofhout, who gave them as kind a reception as though they had been his brothers, and recommended them to his friends on their route, by whom they were protected,