I could tell we passed up a sloping plank and
were on shipboard. Then, without the least warning, I was rolled over
and over, and then set upon my head! but a loud cry outside drowned a
smothered cry within; and I was placed in a horizontal position again,
with feelings impossible to describe.

I think I became sleepy after that; or else in a painless state of
insensibility. When I woke I was numb all over, and had to rub my
dazzled eyes as the bright daylight broke in on them.

"He seems to like his quarters so well as to have no mind to turn out,"
said a rough voice.

"He wants assistance," said some one, in a kinder tone; and a handsome,
frank-looking man laid hold of my arm, and helped me to rise. Above me
were the sails and cordage of a ship; all around me the sparkling blue
waves, leaping in freedom. I clasped my hands, and raised them to
heaven.

"You do well to give thanks where thanks are due," said the mate. "Now
come into the cabin."

Seeing me stagger, he took me by the arm, and kindly assisted me into
the presence of the captain, saying, "Here is one of the noble army of
martyrs."

The captain gave me a most kind reception, made me dine with him, and
asked me a great many questions. He then told me many moving stories of
other Huguenots who had escaped or tried to escape to England; and he
related such instances of the kindness of the English to the fugitives
that my heart warmed towards them with gratitude and hope.

After this I suffered much from seasickness, and lay two or three days
in my cot, where we were buffeted of the winds, and tossed. We were
chased by a strange ship, and had to put on all the sail we could to
escape being overhauled; and this led to our being driven out of our
course; so that, what with one thing and another, we we did not reach
Gravesend till the 8th of November. Then the captain went ashore with
his ship's papers, and, after transacting business, started for London,
and took me with him.

What a day it was for forming one's first impressions of that
much-longed-for capital! There was a thick November fog, through which
street-lamps sent an imperfect light; and shops were lighted up with
candles. Vehicles ran against one another in the streets, in spite of
link-boys darting between the horses, fearless of danger, and scattering
sparks from their fiery torches. The noise, the unknown language,
the strange streets and lanes bewildered me. The captain called a
hackney-