( 80 )
of Thicket, and likewise engage her aunt in my favour. My first care was to go and consult Mrs. Sagely, who, when she understood my situation, the good woman condoled my unhappy fate. but approved my resolution to leave the country. While she was warning my of my danger, we heard a knocking at the door, which flung us both into great consternation! This generous old lady, putting two guineas into my hand, bid me get out at the back-door and consult my safety as Providence should direct me.
I followed her advice and escaped to the sea side, where I was suddenly surrounded by armed men who, having bound my hands and feet, bid me make no noise on pain of being shot, and carried me on board of a vessel, which I soon perceived to be a smuggling cutter. They proceeded for the coast of France; and when we came within sight of shore, one of the crew told me I must pay for my passage. But I had concealed six guineas in my stockings. A little while after we all went ashore together. I inquired for a public-house, with an intention of taking some refreshment. In the kitchen five Dutch sailors sat at breakfast. At some distance from them, I perceived another person in the same garb, sitting in a pensive solitary manner, entertaining himself with a whiff of tobacco, from the stump of a pipe as black as jet. I approached this forlorn tar, with
a
