while you retreat with Mistress Aveline."

I thankfully followed his suggestion, and, lifting Aveline from the
ground, bore her down the bank towards the first boat which approached
the shore. Scarcely had the stern touched the ground before a number of
the unhappy fugitives rushed towards it, and attempted to force their
way on board. It seemed cruel to prevent them, and yet there was not
room for all. Keeping Aveline out of the water, I waded in and
deposited her safely in the stern of the boat; then shouting to Captain
Radford, I entreated him also to come on board. The _Falcons_ crew had
meantime driven back their assailants, and taking the opportunity,
before the Spaniards again rode at them, they hurried down the bank and
gained the boats, already half full of fugitives. It was a sore trial
to Captain Radford when he had to insist on many of the unfortunate
people again landing; but there was no help for it. The boats would
have sunk had he allowed all to remain. As it was, they were already
too deeply laden for safety. The sailors had literally to lift out
those who had last got in, and to place them on the shore, ere we shoved
off into deep water. It was heartrending to see the whole shore lined
with fugitives: some rushing into boats which had already come up, some
waving frantically to other boats which were approaching. Here, Spanish
troopers charging the unhappy people with lances, or sabring them as
they attempted to fly into the water. Here and there were knots of
brave men struggling with their foes. Several of the unfortunate
citizens were swimming off, either to overtake the retiring boats or to
get on board those they saw approaching. Now and then a shriek was
heard ere the unhappy fugitive sunk below the surface.

We rowed away as fast as the crowded state of our boats would allow. I
could not withdraw my eye from the shore. Simultaneously a cry arose
from the hapless fugitives who had not yet reached the boats, and at
that instant the heads of the musketeers, with their glittering arms,
appeared above the bank, forming a deadly line--and instantly their
weapons were levelled at the ill-fated people. There was a general rush
into the river. Even those who could not swim trusted rather to the
waters of the Scheld than to the mercy of their fellow-creatures. In
spite of the hot fire opened upon them, the brave boatmen rowed here and
there, receiving all they could, though often a man,