enemy,
I should have fought thee; but as it is, compassion is the first
consideration. Perhaps I may be in as bad a situation before the war is
ended." Then slipping off his coat and giving it to Alonzo, "follow me,"
he said, and turning, walked hastily along the street, followed by
Alonzo; he passed into a bye-lane, entered a small house, and taking
Alonzo into a back room, opened a trunk, and handed out a shirt: "there,
said he, pointing to a bed, you can sleep till morning, when we will see
what can be done."

The next morning the sailor brought in a very decent suit of clothes and
presented them to Alonzo. "You will make this place your home, said he,
until more favorable prospects appear. In this great city you will be
safe, for even your late gaoler would not recognize you in this dress.
And perhaps some opportunity may offer by which you may return to your
own country." He told Alonzo that his name was Jack Brown; that he was a
midshipman on board the Severn; that he had a wife and four children,
and owned the house in which they then were. "In order to prevent
suspicion or discovery, said he, I shall consider you as a relation from
the country until you are better provided for." Alonzo was then
introduced to the sailor's wife, an amiable woman, and here he remained
for several weeks.

One day Alonzo was informed that a number of American prisoners were
brought in. He went to the place where they were landed, and saw several
led away to prison, and some who were sick or disabled, carried to the
hospital. As the hospital was near at hand, Alonzo entered it to see how
the sick and disabled prisoners were treated.

He found that they received as much attention as could reasonably be
expected.[A] As he passed along the different apartments he was
surprised at hearing his name called by a faint voice. He turned to the
place from whence it proceeded, and saw stretched on a mattress,
a person who appeared on the point of expiring. His visage was pale and
emaciated, his countenance haggard and ghastly, his eyes inexpressive
and glazy. He held out his withered hand, and feebly beckoned to Alonzo,
who immediately approached him. His features appeared not unfamiliar to
Alonzo, but for a moment he could not recollect him. "You do not know
me," said the apparently dying stranger. "Beauman!" exclaimed Alonzo,
in surprise. "Yes, replied the sick man, it is Beauman; you behold me on
the verge of eternity; I have but a short t