were always baulked, and on their arrival at Meziers separated; the former being ordered to Valenciennes, the latter to Givet.
Passing through Hirson, Avesnes, Quesnoy, and Landrecy, Mr. Boys and his division arrived at the end of their journey on the 17th Aug., and were conducted with great form to the citadel of Valenciennes, there to take up their abode during the war, with about 1400 men, who occupied the barracks. Between the “très mauvais sujets” and those men, no distinction whatever was to be made, except the permission of walking on the rampart facing the town.
That part of the fortress in which the prisoners were allowed to amuse themselves has two gates; the northern leading to the upper citadel, and the southern to the town: at each was a strong guard. Through the western rampart is a sally port, which leads into an outwork, thence into a garden, forming a triangle of about half an acre, at the extreme point of which the Escant branches off in two streams, the canal passing between the citadel and ravelin.
“Through this sally-port,” says our hero, “it was my intention to make an attempt to escape, that appearing; the weakest point. I meant to swim across the river, and take my clothes in an umbrella prepared for the occasion. Some few days elapsed before I ventured to communicate my intentions to any one, when I broached the subject to a brother midshipman, named Ricketts, who readily entered into my views, and was willing to assist me in any way, but, from the most honourable motives declined joining. A messmate, named Cadell, also declined; I then sounded several other midshipmen, without success. In this state of suspense, day after day elapsed, till the 4th of September, when I applied to one whose name was Hunter; he approved of my plans, and appeared gratified that I had selected him as a companion. It was agreed that we should start on the 14th, intending, by means of picklocks, to get through the sally-port; and I was the more sanguine, from the circumstance of there being no sentinel at that door. The 14th arrived, every thing wearing a favourable aspect, and the hour of ten was appointed for the attempt; but about 4 p.m.. Hunter surprised me, by signifying his determination to postpone it until the spring, as from the season of the year, he foresaw innumerable difficulties, and deemed success impossible. In this dilemma, I became almost frantic, for, from so untimely and unexpected a secession, I doubted in whom to confide.
