So, having paid my account, I went down boldly to the river and crossed to Harfleur, and then went on to Havre.

I stayed there for a couple of days, at a sailors' cabaret; where they supposed that I belonged to a vessel in port, and no questions were asked.
"Finding that it would be difficult to pass the gunboat lying there, I walked up to Fecamp, picked out a likely looking boat afloat by the quay; and at night got on board, rowed quietly out, and then managed to get the sail hoisted.

The wind was offshore, and by the morning I was out of sight of the French coast.

I laid my course for Portsmouth, and landed there that evening.

Being fortunately able to speak English, I had only to leave the boat tied up to the quay, and go up to a small inn close by.