people standing about, but the major part of them were gone. As the
fire sank down so did the people go away; at last there was no one to be
seen: we remained more than half an hour watching; light after light
disappeared, and all was quiet as death.

"Now's our time," said Bramble, "but still we must be cautious; let us
follow one another at about ten yards apart: if we meet with any one,
pretend to be reeling as if drunk, and they may think we are
privateer's-men not yet gone to bed."

We followed him down the stairs, gained the church, and trod over the
still burning embers; as soon as we were clear of the walls we turned to
the right in our way down to the harbour, keeping in the gloom as much
as possible. We arrived safely at the pier, for there was not a soul
stirring; all our fear was that we should find some one keeping watch on
board of the vessels, which we must pass after we had possession of one
of the fishing-boats, as they laid inside of them. But fortune favoured
us every way; the boat we selected had her sails bent, and was not
fastened with a chain, we were, therefore, in the stream in a moment;
the tide was also running out strong, and we passed the vessels without
having occasion to use our oars. The battery at the entrance of the
harbour was also without its usual sentry, for the men had been called
up to guard the prisoners. In half an hour we were clear of the
harbour, and steering with a fine breeze for the English coast; and when
daylight broke the French land was but just perceptible.

"Well," said Bramble, "praised be Heaven for all things. I expected to
have lost my precious liberty for years, and I have only lost two
shirts, one pair of trousers, and three pairs of worsted stockings."

We had nothing to eat or drink, but that we cared little for, as the
wind was fair. About ten o'clock that night we landed at Cawsand Bay
near Plymouth, where we sat down to a hearty supper; and when we went to
bed, I did not forget to thank Providence for my unexpected escape.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

ANOTHER ESCAPE, MORE FORTUNATE THAN THE ONE RECORDED IN THE PRECEDING
CHAPTER.

From the time that I had passed my examination, and worked as a pilot on
my own account, until the period of our escape, which I have narrated in
the preceding chapter, I had continued to live in the cottage with
Bramble, without contributing any share to the expenses. I had at first
proposed it, but Bramble would n