We were refused,
and forthwith broke open the door, and spread over his house, like a
nest of cockroaches. Cellars, garrets, maids' rooms, ladies' rooms, we
entered _sans ceremonie_; paid little regard to the Medicean costume of
the fair occupants; broke some of the most indispensable articles of
bedroom furniture; rattled the pots and pans about in the kitchen; and,
finding the two sons of the master of the house, ordered them to dress
and come with us, certain, we said, that they were sailors.

When the old tradesman saw me he began to smell a rat, and threatened me
with severe punishment. I showed him my search-warrant, and asked him
if it was a _good bill_. After having inspected every part of the
house, I departed, leaving the two young cubs half dead with fear. The
next day a complaint was lodged at the government house; but
investigation is a long word when a man-of-war is ordered on service.
Despatches from Albany reached Quebec, stating that the President of the
United States had declared war against England; in consequence of which,
our captain took leave of the governor, and dropped down the river with
all speed, so I never heard any more of my tradesman.

We arrived at Halifax fully manned, and immediately received orders to
proceed to sea, "to sink, burn, and destroy." We ran for Boston Bay,
when, on the morning we made the land, we discovered ten or twelve sail
of merchant vessels. The first we boarded was a brig; one of our boats
was lowered down; I got into her, and jumped on the deck of the Yankee,
while the frigate continued in chase of the others. The master of the
vessel sat on a hen-coop, and did not condescend to rise or offer me the
least salute as I passed him; he was a short, thick, paunchy-looking
fellow.

"You are an Englishman, I guess?"

"I guess I am," I said, imitating him with a nasal twang.

"I thought we shouldn't be long in our waters afore we met some of you
old-country sarpents. No harm in what I said, I hope?" added the
master.

"Oh, no," said I, "not the least; it will make no difference in the long
run. But where do you come from, and where are you bound?"

"Come from Smyrna, and bound to Boston, where I hope to be to-morrow
morning, by the blessing of God, and a good conscience."

From this answer, I perceived that he was unacquainted with the war, and
I therefore determined to play with him a little before I gave him the
fatal news. "And pray," said I, "what