cer of the party, who was so disguised that I
could not tell his rank, "suppose I belong to a man-of-war already?"

"That you do not; or if you do, you must be a deserter, my good fellow;
that is evident by your stick and bundle. Now sit down and drink some
beer, if you like; you are going to serve in a fine frigate--you may as
well make yourself comfortable, for we shall not go on board yet, for
this hour."

I determined to keep up my _incognito_, as it amused me. I sat down,
and it then occurred to me that my not going on board of the vessel
might lead to an explanation with the crimp, and that an alarm might be
created and the men dispersed in consequence. There were still two
hours to daylight, and if I could take up the press-gang, we might
secure all the men in the house before the dawn of day.

As I had just made up my mind to act, there was a stamping of feet
outside and a knock at the door. When it was opened, another portion of
the press-gang, headed by another officer, entered. I counted heads,
and found that they mustered thirty hands--quite sufficient, as they
were armed, to secure all my late companions. I therefore went up to
the officer, and begged to speak with him aside.

I then told him that I had just come from a crimp's house near
Stonehouse, where I left in their beds thirty-five as fine men as ever
walked a plank, and that, as I was pressed myself, I did not mind
telling him where they were, and he could take them all.

The officer curled up his lip, as if to say, "You're a pretty scoundrel
to betray your companions," but immediately resolved to act upon it.
Without stating his intentions, he ordered all the men out, and putting
me between two marines, so as to prevent my escaping, I was desired to
lead on. I did so, and we proceeded in silence until we arrived near to
the house. I then pointed out to the officer that it must be
surrounded, or the men would escape, and that it must be done very
carefully, as there was a large dog which would be sure to give the
alarm. My advice was attended to, and when all the men were at their
stations, the whole advanced slowly towards the house. The dog
commenced baying, as I had foreseen, and shortly afterwards the crimp
put his head out of a window, and perceived that the press-gang were
below. But all attempts to force an entrance were in vain, every window
below, and the doors, being secured with iron bars.

"Is there no way of getting int