The first mate had gone with them to the mairie, where the official stamp had been affixed to their ship papers.
They found that no questions were asked of persons entering or leaving the town, on the land side; and twice strolled out and went some distance into the country.

They had agreed that it would be better to defer any attempt to escape until the day before the lugger sailed, as there would then be but little time for the captain to make inquiries after them, or to institute a search.
They bought a pocket map of the north of France, and carefully studied the roads.
"It is plain enough what our best course is, Dick.

We must go along this projecting point of Brittany through Dinan to Avranches, and then follow the coast up till we get to Coutances.

You see it is nearly opposite Jersey, and that island does not look to be more than fifteen miles away so that, if we can get hold of a boat there, we should be able to run across in three hours or so, with favourable wind." "That looks easy enough," Ryan agreed.

"It seems to be about one hundred and twenty miles from here to Avranches, and another thirty or forty up to Coutances, so we should do it in a week, easily.
What stories shall we make up, if we are questioned ?" "I don't suppose the peasants we may meet on the road are likely to question us at all, for most of the Bretons speak only their own language.