e near the top, where we remained quiet; there was no
want of smoke there, but still we could breathe pretty freely, as the
fire from the roof was borne down by the wind from us and toward the
people, who were at the front of the church. How they disposed of the
other prisoners we do not know, as we dared not show ourselves; but in
about half an hour the whole of the roof fell down upon the pavement,
and nothing but the bare walls of the church were left standing.

After the roof fell in the light from the flames was so small that we
ventured to the top of the tower to look out. There were still many
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."

[Illustration: THE ESCAPE.--Marryat, Vol. X., p. 353.]

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 harbor, 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 favored
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
harbor 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 harbor, 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 pair of worsted stockings."

We had nothing to eat or drink, but that we cared little