d to be drunk, or asleep, like the rest. There
will be no fear then. I will call you as soon as the guard-boat has
gone away. We must all then be ready to start in a moment."

Andrews and I immediately followed La Motte's directions, and going
below threw ourselves on the lockers. I heard La Motte's measured tread
overhead, as if he was walking the deck as officer of the watch. I
listened for every sound. Presently I heard him reply in a clear, sharp
voice, apparently to a hail given from a boat at a little distance.
There could be no doubt that it was the guard-boat. The answer
satisfied the officers. Another minute elapsed, and La Motte sprang
down below. "It is all right, Weatherhelm," he whispered; "the
guard-boat is away, and now is our time to be off. Call up the other
men."

It was quickly done, and all those who had resolved to venture on the
undertaking were speedily on deck. We hauled up the boat, and silently
took our seats on the thwarts. I pulled the after oar; La Motte steered
and acted as captain; indeed, had it not been for him, we could not have
made the attempt. It was a hazardous affair, for we might have to
encounter another guard-boat, and we had to pass among a number of
vessels on our way to the mouth of the harbour.

"If we are seen, I hope that we may be mistaken for the guard-boat,"
said La Motte, as we were preparing to shove off. "Now, my lads, shove
off, and try and row as much like Frenchmen as you can."

The advice was not unnecessary, for the steady, measured pull of English
men-of-war's men would have inevitably betrayed us. The night was dark,
but not sufficiently so to prevent us from distinguishing the outline of
the harbour. Away we pulled, rapidly but with irregular strokes. We
had to pass close to several privateers, but their crews were either on
shore or drunk, and no notice was taken of us.

More than once it occurred to me, that although we should not have
wished to run off with the vessel of the people who had treated us so
well, yet that we might be able successfully to cut out one of the other
craft brought up nearer the mouth of the harbour; but I reflected that
the experiment would be too hazardous. Should we fail, we should in all
probability lose our lives; as it was, we might well be contented with
the advantages we possessed. We had a good boat, though she was small,
an ample supply of provisions, fine weather, and a fair wind from the
southward