Narrative of a Captivity in France and Flanders Between the Years 1803 and 1809 by Captain Edward Boys R.N

Author:Captain Edward Boys, R.N. [Captain Edward Boys, R.N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781908692825
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Wagram Press
Published: 2011-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

View of the "Raie le Chat" with the Entrance to the Loft.

presence of strangers in their houses. In order to excite confidence, we offered her all our money; this she generously refused, declaring that if success did not attend our exertions, she should not expect a stiver. No sooner were we in the loft, than, aided by our friendly hostess, our separate wounds were examined and dressed. After dark, the servant maid, named Cocher, and the dog Fox being placed at the front door to watch, we descended to partake of some broth; anxiously waiting the return of a messenger sent by Madame Derikre to Blankenberg for her confidential friend, a man named Winderkins. About nine, the boy came with intelligence, that he was gone to Ostend, and that his wife would send him to the "Cat" upon his return. We remounted into the loft, and slept as comfortably upon clean straw, as the pain of our wounds would allow. The following evening, Mynheer Winderkins was introduced; he undertook, upon condition of sharing the reward, to find a fisherman who would either land us in England, or put us on board an English man of war; and promised information on the subject the following day. In continual expectation of the happy hour of departure, we remained in our snug retreat; receiving frequent messages from Winderkins until the 1st of December, when he appeared, attributing his delay to the precautions necessary to be taken on so critical an occasion; but having at length succeeded, we were to hold ourselves in readiness to depart that night. Soon after eight P.M. furnished with a few provisions, we quitted the "Cat", leaving with Madame Derikre bills to the amount of £50, reserving the other fifty for Winderkins and the boat-men. In an hour we reached Blankenberg; following our guide down the beach to the eastward of the village, and concealing ourselves amongst the sand-hills, whilst he went to apprise the fisherman of our arrival. In this position we remained about two hours, Winderkins occasionally returning and desiring us to be particularly silent, there being several men on the beach, and the patrole on the alert. After a further absence of half an hour, he again returned, telling us, we must be patient, and postpone the event to the next night, the tide having then ebbed so as to leave the vessels high and dry. We returned to the "Cat" much to the surprise of Madame Derikre. The following day, Winderkins not appearing, the boy was despatched to learn the cause. About noon he returned with answer, that as there was not the slightest chance of success that night, he thought it imprudent to expose us to useless danger. We now began to suspect, his fidelity, and thinking he might doubt the performance of our promise, it was agreed to give him, half the remaining cash, and a bill of £30, when on the beach, upon condition that he fulfilled his engagement, or returned it.

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