esolate and silent. The watchman's call, remotely and
faintly heard, added to the general solemnity. I followed my companion
in a state of mind not easily described. I had no spirit even to inquire
whither he was going. It was not till we arrived at the water's edge
that I persuaded myself to break silence. I then began to reflect on the
degree in which his present schemes might endanger Welbeck or myself. I
had acted long enough a servile and mechanical part; and been guided by
blind and foreign impulses. It was time to lay aside my fetters, and
demand to know whither the path tended in which I was importuned to
walk.

Meanwhile I found myself entangled among boats and shipping. I am unable
to describe the spot by any indisputable tokens. I know merely that it
was the termination of one of the principal streets. Here Welbeck
selected a boat and prepared to enter it. For a moment I hesitated to
comply with his apparent invitation. I stammered out an
interrogation:--"Why is this? Why should we cross the river? What
service can I do for you? I ought to know the purpose of my voyage
before I enter it."

He checked himself and surveyed me for a minute in silence. "What do you
fear?" said he. "Have I not explained my wishes? Merely cross the river
with me, for I cannot navigate a boat by myself. Is there any thing
arduous or mysterious in this undertaking? we part on the Jersey shore,
and I shall leave you to your destiny. All I shall ask from you will be
silence, and to hide from mankind what you know concerning me."

He now entered the boat and urged me to follow his example. I
reluctantly complied, I perceived that the boat contained but one oar,
and that was a small one. He seemed startled and thrown into great
perplexity by this discovery. "It will be impossible," said he, in a
tone of panic and vexation, "to procure another at this hour: what is to
be done?"

This impediment was by no means insuperable. I had sinewy arms, and knew
well how to use an oar for the double purpose of oar and rudder. I took
my station at the stern, and quickly extricated the boat from its
neighbours and from the wharves. I was wholly unacquainted with the
river. The bar by which it was encumbered I knew to exist, but in what
direction and to what extent it existed, and how it might be avoided in
the present state of the tide, I knew not. It was probable, therefore,
unknowing as I was of the proper track, that our boat would speedily
hav