vellers no less than me; and
the more, as they advanced directly up to us, and seiz'd our Hands. But
a little time undeceiv'd us, and we found what they came for; and that
their Contest, tho' not so robust as our Oars on the _Thames_, was much
of the same Nature; each contending who should have us for their Fare.
For 'tis here a Custom of Time out of mind, that none but young Women
should have the management and profit of that Ferry. And tho' the Ferry
is over an Arm of the Sea, very broad, and sometimes very rough, those
fair Ferriers manage themselves with that Dexterity, that the Passage is
very little dangerous, and in calm Weather, very pleasant. In short, we
made choice of those that best pleased us; who in a grateful Return, led
us down to their Boat under a sort of Music, which they, walking along,
made with their Oars, and which we all thought far from being
disagreeable. Thus were we transported over to _Port Passage_; not
undeservedly accounted the best Harbour in all the Bay of _Biscay_.

We stay'd not long here after Landing, resolving, if possible, to reach
_Fonterabia_ before Night; but all the Expedition we could use, little
avail'd; for before we could reach thither the Gates were shut, and good
Nature and Humanity were so lock'd up with them, that all the Rhetorick
we were Masters of could not prevail upon the Governor to order their
being opened; for which Reason we were obliged to take up our Quarters
at the Ferry House.

When we got up the next Morning, we found the Waters so broad, as well
as rough, that we began to enquire after another Passage; and were
answer'd, that at the Isle of _Conference_, but a short League upwards,
the Passage was much shorter, and exposed to less Danger. Such good
Reasons soon determind's us: So, setting out we got there in a very
little Time; and very soon after were landed in _France_. Here we found
a House of very good Entertainment, a Thing we had long wanted, and much
lamented the want of.

We were hardly well seated in the House before we were made sensible,
that it was the Custom, which had made it the business of our Host, to
entertain all his Guests at first coming in, with a prolix Account of
that remarkable Interview between the two Kings of _France_ and _Spain_.
I speak safely now, as being got on _French_ Ground: For the _Spaniard_
in his own Country would have made me to know, that putting _Spain_
after _France_ had there been look'd upon as a meer Solec