The dwelling of his host was frequently visited by the police, as well as the houses of all the English prisoners. His friend contrived an ingenious hidingplace for him in a small recess adjoining their sitting-room. In this L'Estrange took refuge during the operation of searching, which answered admirably. These restrictions obliged him to be continually on the alert.

Sir Stephen's servant, a most faithful creature, was let into the secret, after vowing never to betray him, and his efforts proved of great assistance. Sir Stephen and he alone knew the singular position he was placed in; a telegraphic warning was established between them, the latter announcing by a peculiar whistle the approach of the enemy. Owing to this arrangement, L'Estrange had time to fly to his place of concealment. In consequence of having so constantly to be on the qui vive, his stay at Verdun was considerably prolonged, being unable to leave the house except at night, well disguised. One evening, while out in this way, the following incident occurred, showing what risk he ran. Meeting an old brother officer, Captain R-, he was about to welcome him aloud, when L'Estrange, afraid of exciting observation, made a sign to prevent his doing so, and they passed each other without further recognition. Day by day getting more impatient with such bagatelle work, an idea suggested itself

which might tend to divert the gendarmes from incessantly persecuting him. By means of the press, through the agency of his friend, he had an advertisement published in a Paris newspaper, notifying that the 'fugitive English officer, Monsieur L'Estrange, who absconded from Bitche, had arrived safely on the coast of France, and was supposed to be hidden near Calais, awaiting an opportunity to escape to England.'

In the course of a few weeks the result of this scheme became apparent, as the officials sensibly relaxed in their precautions, and eventually discontinued their unwelcome visits to Sir Stephen's dwelling. This was a great victory gained; the wheel of fortune had certainly taken a turn in his favour. But he did not, however, abate in his measures to guard against surprise; the reward offered to secure him was too tempting a bait to be altogether lost sight of.

To obtain a passport now exclusively occupied his thoughts, as being unprovided with one prevented his progress onward. Sir Stephen May at last helped him out of this dilemma, by rather a questionable mode of transaction, but which was happily crowned with success. He happened to be at a stationer's shop, where he was in the habit of dealing; while employed in selecting some articles he required, he was accidentally shown the passport forms. This was a good opportunity of realizing

the wishes of L'Estrange. To purchase any would only lead to suspicion, so he resolved to take possession of some of them secretly. When the shopman was otherwise engaged, he cleverly managed to pocket a couple unobserved. He returned in the highest spirits, triumphantly displaying his treasures to the astonished gaze of L'Estrange. The next consideration was how to fill up one of these forms in the usual way, with a description of the bearer, his age and profession; it was a puzzling task to undertake, and which required much practice at dissimulation to accomplish. With an old passport of his friend's, he commenced copying all the signatures of the prefects; and in a short time completed it so dexterously, that the closest observer could not detect the fraud. Although very fragile, the identical passport is still in existence. Another obstacle had still to be overcome before he could leave Verdun it was necessary to have this passport examined by the authorities. To obtain this object, he employed SirStephen's trusty servant to concoct a plan for getting it done. He accordingly left the precious document at the passport office, with a message from the owner, saying he was unable to present it himself as his time was so fully occupied, but would call for it in a few days. The servant then deputed an acquaintance to apply for it at the appointed hour, requesting him to state

that pressure of business was the cause of Monsieur not doing so. The paper was handed to the messenger, signed in regular form, without remark. The servant, cautious and intelligent, remained at some distance from the office, anxiously awaiting the result; after receiving it safely, he quickly hastened home to his master, highly delighted in having thus easily outwitted the officials, and exultingly delivered it to L'Estrange, who warmly thanked him for the service he had so cleverly performed.

One day following, Sir Stephen was informed, during a conversation with a French officer of the garrison, that government had come to the conclusion the British officer who escaped from Bitche had reached Calais; although strict search was desired to be made in all directions, no tidings had since been heard of him. Nothing in the shape of news could just then have pleased L'Estrange more.

Possessed as

he now was of the long-coveted passport, he decided at once upon leaving Verdun, dressed again in the French uniform which he wore with such success on his departure from Bitche. Assuming a black wig, and mustachios of the same dark hue, he presented a most imposing appearance, feigning the name of Captain Robert, journeying to the seat of war in Spain to rejoin his regiment. Before starting, he found it absolutely necessary to replenish his scanty wardrobe, which con

sisted only, when he arrived in his humble garb at Verdun, of the small bundle already twice mentioned, containing the uniform he was then wearing.

Having completed all these arrangements to his satisfaction, and feeling most thankful to God for his present brighter prospects, after bidding a long farewell to his good and kind friend, not forgetting the faithful attendant whose efforts had been so useful, he left Verdun by the night diligence in the middle of April 1812, and reached Paris without any particular occurrence. His passe-port visé by authority gave him assurance and safety. Passing through fortified towns, it was examined, but not very closely, seeing that the owner was a military man. His place of abode in the French capital was a quiet hotel in a remote corner of the city, where he changed his uniform, and put on civilian's clothes, thinking he would be less remarkable in them, and having more freedom of action, be the better enabled to visit and enjoy the numerous attractions in that charming metropolis. He saw the young king of Rome, son and heir of the great Napoleon. Having satisfied his curiosity with all that was to be seen in the chief city of France, his next care was to prepare for his journey onwards, and to get his passport once more visé without creating suspicion, which he was fortunate enough to get done without much delay.

So

he started again by the diligence for Bordeaux, disguised similarly as on leaving Verdun.

The only event which took place in going there worth mentioning, happened during a conversation with two fellowtravellers, French officers. One of them asked him if he was a Frenchman, to which he replied he was a Dutchman, but had been long resident in France. He told them this, as he thought the language of that country the most unlikely for his companions to understand. This opinion proved correct, for they pressed him no further; but it was a great relief to him when they happily took their departure from the diligence before it arrived at Bordeaux.

Having safely got there, he repaired to the residence of a family, to whom Sir Stephen May had given him a letter of introduction, where he was most kindly received. The family promised to assist him to the utmost of their power to facilitate his escape to England. They appeared to take a warm interest in his welfare, congratulated him on his clever flight from Bitche, and assured him the authorities had abandoned the idea of recapturing him as hopeless, having come to the conclusion that he had already reached England. This was all very satisfactory. He felt quite at home with these hospitable people, and began at once consulting them regarding the most prudent plan of regaining his native land.

He

left off the uniform, appearing again as a civilian, and requested his new friends as a favour to intimate to the servants of the house that Monsieur was a connection of the family,-a suggestion they adopted without delay, both to promote their own safety, as well as to satisfy the curiosity of the establishment.

His chief employment now consisted in making the requisite preparations for his much desired journey home. To secure a passage from Bordeaux to England, at a period when war was at its height between the two countries, was extremely hazardous, and almost impossible; therefore the scheme he formed to carry out this project was a bold expedient, but none other appeared practicable, namely, to purchase a boat, and sail direct for Great Britain. In accordance with this resolution, he bought a fishing-boat, hired a servant, procured a passport to proceed down the river, in which both were described as fishermen. The next thing was to lay in a supply of provisions and water, to get a chart of the river, a compass, together with nets and other fishing apparatus. Having formerly had some experience in yachting, and satisfied also that the sailor was well-skilled, he thought their united efforts would be found sufficient to manage the small craft. In two days they got to the mouth of the river very quietly, but shortly began to feel the effects of the swell

that at all times more or less agitates the Bay of Biscay. It told at once on the frail bark they were in; one great roll of the mighty element would have quickly sent them to perdition.

Up to this moment the sailor servant had no idea of the enterprise he was about to attempt. The open sea before them, a stiff breeze, and the mountainlike waves of the ocean, raised him to a terrible state of alarm, he asked in a most excited manner if Monsieur intended running out to sea. L'Estrange giving him no answer, he was on the point of raising a signal to attract the guard-ship anchored at the entrance of the harbour. L'Estrange, fully alive to the fact that his fate was sealed if the crew of the frigate took the alarm,-the occasion required no wavering of purpose,―on the impulse of the moment clapped a pistol to the fellow's head, and threatened to shoot him if he dared to move or utter a sound. This had the desired effect; he remained silent and motionless for a considerable time afterwards. The wind being off the land, was so far favourable for their progress, when, just at this critical point, two chasse-marées were despatched in pursuit of them.

With a fervent prayer to the Almighty to preserve him, L'Estrange put on all the sail the little smack could bear, seized the tiller from his trembling companion, and struck out right from shore. They had a good offing and a good start,