erth the next day.

On the following morning I laid out a warp to the wharf; as if intending
to haul in; and at the time appointed, I went on shore to the owner, and
told him what I had done.

"But," he said, "I find that you will have to sail this night as soon as
it is dark. How will you get ready?"

I replied that at nightfall I would immediately replace everything, and
in an hour would be ready for sea.

"If such be the case, you have done well, Mr Elrington, and I thank you
for your zeal on my behalf, which I shall not forget. Everything has
been arranged, and you must come up here with some of your seamen as
soon as you are ready to sail. Your men, or rather 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 topgallant 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 everything
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 everything 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 m