pay of twenty-eight florins per month. Two months passed away thus, whilst the vigilance of the English cruisers would not allow of our quitting anchorage. I became reconciled to my new employment, and had no thoughts of leaving it, when news was brought that the French authorities were searching for all Frenchmen who were forming part of the Dutch crews. It was a good opportunity for those amongst us who disliked the service, and yet none cared to avail themselves of it, for they only wanted to embody us into French ships of the line, a change which presented no advantage; and besides, the greater part of my companions had, I believe, good reasons, as well as myself, not to be anxious to display themselves before the agents of the metropolis. All then were silent, and when they demanded from the captain the list of his crew, the examination of it had no other result, for the simple reason that we had all assumed false names. We thought we had weathered the storm.
Researches, however, were continued; only, instead of making inquiries, they stationed agents at the ports and taverns, who examined those men who landed by permission or otherwise. In one of my excursions, I was apprehended. I have long preserved my gratitude for it towards the ship's cook, who honored me with his personal animosity ever after that, I had found fault with his giving us swipes for beer, and stinking cod for fresh fish. Taken before the commanding officer, I said I was a Dutchman, and my knowledge of the language sufficed for me to keep up my assertion; and besides, I demanded to be taken back to my ship with a guard, that I might procure papers to substantiate my assertion, than which nothing could be more natural. A subaltern was ordered to accompany me, and we set out in the skiff that had conveyed me ashore. On getting near the ship, I made my friend with whom I had been talking very familiarly, get up alongside first; and when I saw him entangled amongst
