our great guns, in the hopes of sinking their
boats. This we did not succeed in doing, but I suspect we somewhat
damped their ardour, and at length they ceased rowing, and, firing a
parting volley at us, turned their boats' heads up the river.

We had yet many dangers to encounter. There were forts on either side
of the river, and should intelligence of what had occurred reach them,
they would undoubtedly attempt with their guns to stop our progress.
But night was now approaching, and we might possibly pass them in the
dark. At all events the risk must be run. We communicated with the
other vessels, Captain Radford promising to lead, and urging them to
follow closely in his wake.

"There would be no use firing in return," he observed; "our shot would
only knock off a few pieces of their stone walls, and would in no way
assist us to escape."

The wind was fair, and there was enough of it to fill our sails, so that
we glided steadily down the stream. We felt a considerable amount of
anxiety as we approached the first fort; but, hoisting our colours, we
stood on, as if we had no reason to dread their power. All the women
and children on board had been sent below, as were most of the men, lest
their numbers should excite suspicion. The crew only were allowed to
appear, and they were placed at their proper posts, or directed to walk
unconcernedly up and down the deck while we remained in sight of the
fort. We observed the gunners at their stations in the castle, and
every instant we expected to see a cloud of smoke with its attendant
flash, followed by a round shot, issue from the muzzles of the guns.
Slowly we glided by, dipping our flag, in mark of respect, as we passed
that of Spain waving on the fort. All on board breathed more freely as
we found ourselves getting past, though we still looked with anxiety to
see how our consorts would be treated. They likewise sailed by with
impunity.

The first great danger had now been escaped. There was still another
fort to pass on the same bank of the Scheld as Antwerp. We stood on,
however, under all sail, hoping that news of our flight might not have
reached it. Gradually we drew near. Just then we saw through the
thickening gloom of evening a horseman galloping at full speed along the
causeway which led to the fort. We guessed too well his errand, but we
had no means of avoiding the danger. Keeping our colours flying,
therefore, as before, we stood on. Happil