
sail, enquired for a vessel which I found ready to put to sea in a few hours,
and agreed with the captain for my passage. Ireland had to me the disadvantage
of being a dependency of the British government, and therefore a place of less
security than most other countries which are divided from it by the ocean. To
judge from the diligence with which I seemed to be pursued in England, it was
not improbable that the zeal of my persecutors might follow me to the other side
of the channel. It was however sufficiently agreeable to my mind that I was upon
the point of being removed one step farther from the danger which was so
grievous to my imagination.
    Could there be any peril in the short interval that was to elapse before the
vessel was to weigh anchor, and quit the English shore? Probably not. A very
short time had intervened between my determination for the sea and my arrival at
this place; and, if any new alarm had been given to my persecutors, it proceeded
from the old woman a very few days before. I hoped I had anticipated their
diligence. Meanwhile that I might neglect no reasonable precaution, I went
instantly on board, resolved that I would not unnecessarily, by walking the
streets of the town, expose myself to any untoward accident. This was the first
time I had upon any occasion taken leave of my native country.
 

                                   Chapter VI

The time was now nearly elapsed that was prescribed for our stay, and orders for
weighing anchor were every moment expected, when we were hailed by a boat from
the shore with two other men in it beside those that rowed. They entered our
vessel in an instant. They were officers of justice. The passengers, five
persons beside myself, were ordered upon deck for examination. I was
inexpressibly disturbed at the occurrence of such a circumstance in so
unseasonable a moment. I took it for granted that it was of me that they were in
search. Was it possible that by any unaccountable accident they should have got
an intimation of my disguise? It was infinitely more distressing to encounter
them upon this narrow stage and under these pointed circumstances, than, as I
had before encountered my pursuers, under the appearance of an indifferent
person. My recollection however did not forsake me. I confided in my conscious
disguise and my Irish brogue, as a rock of dependence against all accidents.
    No sooner did we appear upon deck than to my great consternation I could
observe the attention of our guests principally turned upon me. They asked a few
frivolous questions of such of my fellow passengers as happened to be nearest to
them
