As I said, there was a great show, and all the servants had leave to go and see it, save two or three whom we could trust. As soon as it was dark and all the house deserted, we put on our mantles and mufflers, and slipping out of the back entrance, hastened down to the river, where John Symonds had a boat in waiting. It was a dark night, and somewhat rough, which was all the better for our purpose. Luckily we were all good sailors. We dropped down the river with the tide, and the morning found us at Gravesend, whence we purposed to embark. We staid there in great retirement and great anxiety for some days, lodging with the wife of our vessel's master, a woman of great goodness and charity, who gave us the best her house afforded. I don't think my mistress minded roughing it in the least—not half as much as Mistress Curtis did for her. It was an anxious time, for though my mistress was well, she was just in that state of health when one never knows what will happen next, and as for any prudence in taking care of herself, it was not in her. She was as pleased as a child with seeing a way of life so unlike what she was used to. She was never tired of playing with the children, and must needs take the broom in her hand to see what sweeping was like, and so on, till Mistress Curtis lost patience and scolded her roundly, telling her that she was risking all our lives as well as her own, and bringing our kind hostess into danger. She pouted a little, but her own sweet nature soon got the upper hand, and she confessed that Curtis was right, and promised amendment. As for myself, all plans were alike to me. I knew my dear Katherine was safe in good hands. I had no ties—no, not even my husband's grave, for no one knew where he was buried, and my only thought now was when I should rejoin him, and meantime how I could best serve my dear mistress. Well, the vessel came at last, and we embarked for Rotterdam, from which place we were to make our way as quickly as might be to Saulin, a little retired town in the Dutchy of Cleves, where Master Batie had appointed to meet us. I do think I am a very Jonah on shipboard. Never but once did I cross the seas without meeting a storm. We had a tremendous one this time, and our master was obliged to put back and take shelter for a day or two at Harwich.