"Captain Levee will of course know that I have them on board?"

"Certainly; but it is to conceal these people from others in his ship,
and not from him, that they are put on board of your vessel. At the
same time, I confess I have my private reasons as well, which I do not
wish to make known. You can sail to-morrow?"

"I can sail to-night, if you wish," I replied.

"No; to-morrow night will be the time that I have fixed."

"At what time will they come on board?"

"I cannot reply to that till to-morrow. The fact is, that the
government people are on a hot scent; and there is a vessel of war in
the offing, I am told, ready to board any thing and every thing which
comes out. Captain Levee will sail to-morrow morning, and will in all
probability be examined by the government vessel, which is, I
understand, a most rapid sailer."

"Will he submit to it?"

"Yes, he must; and I have given him positive orders not to make the
least attempt to evade her or prevent a search. He will then run to
Holyhead, and lay-to there for you to join him, and you will proceed
together to the port which the people taken on board shall direct,
for that is a part of the agreement they have made with me."

"Then of course I am to evade the king's vessel?"

"Certainly; and I have no doubt but that you will be able so to do.
Your vessel is so fleet, that there will be little difficulty: at all
events, you will do your best: but recollect, that although you must
make every attempt to escape, you must not make any attempt at
resistance--indeed, that would be useless against a vessel of such
force. Should you be in a position which might enable them to board
you, you must find some safe hiding-place for your passengers; for I
hardly need say, that if taken with them on board, the vessel will be
confiscated, and you will run some danger of your life. I have nothing
more to say to you just now, except that you may give out that Captain
Levee sails to-morrow, and that you are to follow him in ten days.
Your powder is on board?"

"Yes; I got it on board as soon as we hauled out in the stream."

"Well, then, you will call here to-morrow morning about eleven
o'clock, not before, and (I hardly need repeat it), but I again
say--secrecy,--as you value your life."

As soon as I had left the owner, I went down to the wharf, stepped
into the boat, and went on board Captain Levee's vessel, which, I have
omitted to state, was named the Arrow. I found him