thing about it."

"But my owner, Mr. Trevannion, was he a party to it?"

"No, he was not; and on my return he dismissed me from the command of
the privateer, as soon as he found out that I had landed the priests
in France."

A great many more questions were put to me, all of which I answered
very cautiously, yet without apparent hesitation; and after an
examination of four hours, the president of the Commission told me
that I had been, by my own acknowledgment, aiding and abetting the
escape of malignant traitors, and prevented them meeting their just
fate on the scaffold. That, in so doing, I had been guilty of treason,
and must abide the sentence of the supreme Commission in London,
whither I should be sent the following day. I replied that I was a
loyal subject; that I hated the French and Romish plotters, and that I
had done what I considered was best; that if I had done wrong, it was
only an error in judgment; and any one that said I was a traitor, lied
in his throat.

My reply was taken down, and I was sent back to prison.

The following afternoon the gaoler came into my room accompanied by
two persons, one of whom informed me that I was delivered over to
their custody to be taken to London. I was led out, and at the door I
found three horses, upon one of which I was desired to mount. As soon
as I was in the saddle, a rope was passed from one leg to the other
under the horse's belly, so as to prevent my escape; and my horse was
led between the other two, upon which my keepers rode, each having a
hand-rein made fast from my horse's bridle to his own. A crowd was
assembled round the entrance of the gaol, and among the lookers-on I
perceived Captain Levee and my owner; but of course I thought it
imprudent to take any notice of them, and they did not make any
recognition of me.

I hardly need say, my dear Madam, how very revolting it was to my
feelings to be thus led away like a felon; but at the same time I must
acknowledge the courtesy of my conductors, who apologized for being
compelled to take such measures of security, and on the way showed
great kindness and good-feeling.

Every thing being arranged, we proceeded on our journey; but it was
late when we set off, owing to one of my conductors being sent for by
the commissioner, and having to wait for letters for nearly three
hours. As it may be supposed, we could not travel at speed, and we
seldom went faster than a walk, which I was sorry for, as I was