four of them,
must remain in the house. The four gentlemen who are to be embarked
will be dressed, in seamen's attire, and will carry down their boxes
and trunks as if they were your men taking your things on board. You
will then remain a little distance from the wharf in the boat till
your own men come down, and if there is no discovery you will take
them on board with you; if, on the contrary, there is any suspicion,
and the officers of the government are on the watch, and stop your
men, you will then push off with the passengers, slip your cable if it
is necessary, and make all sail for Holyhead, where you will fall in
with the Arrow, which will be waiting there for you. Is the Arrow
still in sight?"

"No," I replied; "she was out of sight more than an hour ago, and from
our masthead we could see the top-gallant sails of the vessel of war
bearing N.N.W."

"Keep a look-out upon her, and see how she bears at dark," replied the
owner, "for you must not fall in with her if possible. I think you had
better return on board now, that you may keep your people quiet."

When I arrived on board the schooner, I told my officers that I did
not think that we should shift the mast as proposed, and that every
thing must be got ready for refitting. I did not choose to say more,
but I added that I was to go on shore in the evening to smoke a pipe
with the owner, and then I should know for certain. I employed the men
during the whole of the day in doing every thing in preparation which
could be done without exciting suspicion; and as soon as it was dark I
called the men aft, and told them that I thought it was very likely,
from the Arrow not having made her appearance, that we might be sent
to join her immediately, and that I wished them to rig the mainmast,
and make every thing ready for an immediate start, promising them to
serve out some liquor if they worked well. This was sufficient, and in
little more than an hour the mast was secured, the rigging all
complete, and the sails ready for bending. I then ordered the boat to
be manned, and telling the officers that they were to bend the sails,
and have every thing ready for weighing on my return on board, which
would be in an hour, or thereabouts, I pulled on shore, and went up to
the owner's, taking four men with me, and leaving three men in the
boat. I ordered these three men to remain till the others came down
with my trunks and effects, and not to leave the boat on any
conside