harden himself in sin. Yet often, when he was
alone, did he shrink from himself, and writhe under the lashings
of conscience; and the remembrance of home, and thoughts of his
conduct, rendered him very wretched.

CHAPTER V.

RODNEY IN PHILADELPHIA.

Young Rodney was prepared for an early start on the following
morning; and, in company with Bill Seegor, he crossed the ferry
to Jersey City just as the sun rose, and together they commenced
their journey to Philadelphia. They were soon beyond the
pavements of the town, and in the open country. It was a lovely
morning, and the bright summer developed its beauties, and
dispensed its fragrance along their path. The birds sang
sweetly, and darted on swift wing around them. The cattle roamed
lazily over the fields, and the busy farmers were everywhere
industriously toiling. All nature seemed joyously reflecting the
serene smile of a benevolent God.

Even the wicked hearts of the wanderers seemed lightened by the
influence of the glorious morning, and cheerily, with many a
jocund song and homely jest, they pressed on their way. Even
guilt can sometimes forget its baseness, and enjoy the bounties
of the kind Creator, for which it expresses no thankfulness and
feels no gratitude.

At noon they stopped at a farmer's house, and Bill told the
honest old man that they belonged to a ship which had sailed
round to Philadelphia; that it had left New York unexpectedly,
without their knowledge, and taken their chests and clothes
which had been placed on board; and that, being without money,
they were compelled to walk across to Philadelphia to meet it.

The farmer believed the falsehood, and charitably gave them a
good dinner. They walked on till after sunset, and then crossed
over a field, and climbed up into a rack filled with hay, where
they slept all night.

In the morning they started forward very hungry, for they had
eaten nothing, since the noon before, except a few green apples.
They stopped at the first farm-house on the road, and, by
telling the same falsehood that had procured them a meal the day
before, excited the pity of the farmer and obtained a good
breakfast.

Thus did they go on, lying and begging their way along.

On the third day there were heavy showers, accompanied by fierce
lightnings and crashing thunders. They were as thoroughly soaked
as if they had been thrown into the river, and at night had to
sleep on a haystack, in the open field, in th