steering up-Channel.

There was neither too

much wind nor sea to prevent a boat going alongside, and by laying on our oars nearly right a-head, the vessel ran up alongside of us, the bowman grappled the main-channels, I sprung out of the boat with a thankful heart, the man let go the channel-plates as if by accident, and the vessel sailed on.

"I instantly begged to speak with the master in his cabin, where I intreated him, for the sake of my poor wife, to give me a passage, maintaining, at the same time, that no blame could be attached to him for taking me on board, as the boat had left the ship. He abused me heartily for coming on board his ship in that manner, and swore he would give me up as a deserter to the first man-of-war he met with: but at last he consented to allow me to remain on board till the ship's arrival in port, warning me, however, to depart before the quarantine, customhouse, or guard-boat came near.

"We soon ran up-Channel, and had the Isle of Wight full in view, in all the beauty of rich,

healthy, and thriving vegetation, the colour of which contrasted remarkably with the high, steep, chalky cliffs of the Needles, which we threaded under the influence of a strong tide, followed by a whole fleet of ships from all parts of the world, with their colours flying, as if to greet this isle of islands. As the crew gazed with delight on the thickly-wooded shores, studded with towns, castles, country-seats and villages, each individual seemed to trace some resemblance to the place of his nativity, where he soon hoped to meet his wife, his children, or his parents.

"With all these beautiful objects in sight, together with a distant view of the fleet at Spithead, we anchored in that purgatory of arriving and departing ships, the Mother-Bank.

"A yellow flag was hoisted at the main, which, while it secured us from the intrusion of the men-of-war's boats, kept aloof every other.

"In vain I beckoned to the wherries, and made all the signs of a dumb person to be put

on shore; I pointed to the land, I put my hand in my pocket, I caught the sun-gleams on a dollar, but all would not do. They came just near enough to be without hail, shook their heads, pointed to the yellow flag, and steered

away.

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Nothing came near us but the quarantineboat, which kept a yard or two from the ship; while a middle-aged man, with a broad-brimmed leather hat, and muffled up in a boatcloak, asked questions from the stern-sheets. When his interrogations were finished, he consented to take letters, provided they were sprinkled with vinegar, and ushered into the boat by means of a long pole, which was accordingly done. I wrote to Mary, telling her of my escape, and that I hoped soon to be with her.

CHAPTER VIII.

Then came drum, trumpet, hautboy, fiddle, flute;
Next snuffer, sweeper, shifter, soldier, mute :
Legions of angels all in white advance;
Furies, all fire, come forward in a dance.

CHURCHILL.

"THERE is nothing more true than that health is most appreciated during sickness, and liberty when in prison; for, although it is probable many of the crew would not have been out of the ship, during the time that had elapsed since our arrival, yet, from the very circumstance of being obliged to remain on board, all became restless and discontented.

"On the fifth night it was so dark that the yellow flag could not be distinguished from a

vane, and that induced a wherry, which I hailed in passing, to come alongside.

"We have been with passengers on board one of the ships here,' said the Waterman, ' and cannot put you on shore at any other place than Portsmouth, as we are going back. there direct.' I agreed to go with them, and having thanked the captain for his kindness, got into the boat.

"The men, tired with their long pull from the town, made sail on the boat, and fortunately having no relish for talk, I paid and left them when we landed at Sallyport, without their knowing that the ship which I had left was in quarantine.

"There were several men-of-war's boats on the beach, with a few midshipmen pacing to and fro on the shingle; while the men, lounging on the thwarts, grumbled (out of their officer's hearing) at being kept out of their hammocks at that time of night against orders.

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Spies or intruders are in more danger on