o this den?" said the officer to me.

"Why sir, I'll try."

As Bob Cross had given another name, I knew that I risked nothing in
calling out his, and I therefore requested the officer to impose
silence, and when it was obtained, I cried out, "Bob Cross! Bob Cross!!
Where's Bob Cross?"

After that, I went to the small door at the side of the house, which led
to the homestead, and again cried out, "Bob Cross!--where's Bob Cross?"

I then told the officer that we must wait patiently, and that if it was
daylight before we got in, all the better.

About ten minutes after that, as I remained at the small door, I heard
the bars quietly removed; I then requested the officer to attempt to
force the small door, and it yielded almost immediately to their
efforts.

"Now, sir, leave a guard at the other door, that they may not open it,
and escape by it, also five or six hands to catch any who may jump out
of the upper windows, and then enter with the rest of your party."

"You know what you are about, at all events," said he, giving the
directions which I had pointed out, and then entering with the remainder
of his party, with the exception of one marine that held me by the arm,
with his bayonet drawn.

The scuffle within was very severe, and lasted for many minutes: at
last, the armed force, although not so numerous, prevailed, and one by
one, the men were brought out, and taken charge of by the marines, until
the whole of them were discovered in their retreats, and secured.

Day now dawned, and it was time to be off. To make more secure, the
pressed men were lashed two and two, with small rope, which had been
provided on purpose. Bob Cross, who, of course, had not mixed in the
affray, gave me a nod of recognition, and we set off as fast as the men
could be persuaded to move; certainly not a very gay procession, for
although the wounds were not dangerous, there was scarcely one of the
party, amounting in all to upwards of sixty men, who was not bleeding.
Hardly a word was exchanged. We were all put into the boats, and rowed
off to the hulk appropriated to the crew of the frigate, until she was
rigged, and as soon as we were on board, we were put below under the
charge of sentries.

"What! you here?" said some of the pressed men.

"Yes," replied I: "they picked me up as I went to ship myself last
night." The crimp, who had been brought on board with the others, then
started forward. "It is he who has blown upon us