d
on to an enormous extent by a set of rogues and depredators, who
occasionally request charity, but too often extort it, and add to their
spoils by robbing and plundering everything in their way. It is
impossible for people in this country to ascertain the truth of the
assertions of these vagabonds, and it appears unfeeling to refuse
assistance to a poor seaman who has lost his all: even the cottager
offers his mite, and thus do they levy upon the public to an extent
which is scarcely credible; but it should be known that, in all cases of
shipwreck, sailors are now invariably relieved and decently clothed, and
supplied with the means of travelling to obtain employment; and whenever
a man appeals for charity in a half-naked state, he is invariably an
impostor or a worthless scoundrel.

The two men were talking loud and laughing when they approached our
hero. As soon as they came near, they looked hard at him, and stopped
right before him, so as to block up the footpath.

"Hilloah, my little sailor! where are you bound to?" said one to Joey,
who had his common sailor's dress on.

"And, I say, what have you got in that bundle?" said the other; "and how
are you off for brads?--haven't you something to spare for
brother-seamen? Come, feel in your pockets; or shall I feel for you?"

Joey did not much like this exordium; he replied, stepping into the road
at the same time, "I've no money, and the bundle contains my clothes."

"Come, come," said the first, "you're not going to get off that way. If
you don't wish your brains beaten out, you'll just hand over that bundle
for me to examine;" and so saying, the man stepped into the road towards
Joey, who continued to retreat to the opposite side.

There was no footpath at the side of the road to which Joey retreated,
but a very thick quick-set hedge, much too strong for any man to force
his way through. Joey perceived this; and as the man came at him to
seize his bundle, he contrived, by a great effort, to swing it over the
hedge into the field on the other side. The man, exasperated at this
measure on the part of our hero, ran to seize him; but Joey dodged under
him, and ran away down the road for a few yards, where he picked up a
heavy stone for his defence, and there remained, prepared to defend
himself, and not lose his bundle if he could help it.

"You get hold of him, Bill, while I go round for the bundle," said the
man who had followed across the road, and he i