n rested on the side. But the
next instant the lad had kicked out with the clumsy wooden shoes he
wore, and the soldier fell back half stunned into the sea. The rest of
the fellows instantly raised their guns, but George did not wince; he
perceived what they in their wild scamper after him had not noticed,
that they had dragged their muskets through the water, and for the
time had rendered the weapons useless. The boy laughed in spite of his
predicament, as he hastily ran up the little sail.

The breeze at once caught the canvas, and the bark moved briskly away.
But two of the soldiers, who had not entered the sea, hastily
reloading--they had not done so hitherto, after the recent
discharges--levelled their pieces at the retreating prisoner. George
flung himself to the bottom of the boat as he saw the move, and the
bullets whistled harmlessly overhead. Springing up again, he perceived
that he was now beyond range, and with a shout of joy he waved his cap
triumphantly. The whole escape had been planned and successfully
carried out in the space of five minutes. He was free!

But his joy was presently tempered by the thought of what might
follow. That the men would endeavour to give chase he well knew;
indeed he could make out their forms running in search of another
boat. However, he had gained a start; that was something. As to
whither he was destined to be driven, or how he was to get food and
water, these things were for the present of less consequence than the
fact that he was free.

Fortune favoured him, for within ten minutes a thickness came on, and
soon the boat was enveloped in fog. The chase was now rendered
impossible to the enemy. Hour after hour George kept his sail hoisted,
driving briskly he knew not whither.

"I am bound," said he to himself, "to stumble upon either the English
or the Dutch coast, and in either case I shall be among friends." Thus
the lad comforted himself.

The day wore on, and he was becoming ravenously hungry. He would have
given much for a basin of even the prison _soupe maigre_. The sky was
darkening and he began to feel drowsy; he resigned himself to a night
of hunger. All at once he heard shouts, and the hull of a big vessel
loomed up within a few yards of him. He was instantly wide awake. Was
the stranger French? Thank Heaven, no! She was Dutch built, and as her
flag showed, Dutch owned. Hurrah!

His cheer attracted the attention of the crew, and much wondering the
sailors