a neighbour's window, that there was a man with a cocked hat at the
door.

"What's your will?" said I to him, as I looked out at him in my
nightcap. He made no other answer, but that he was one of his
majesty's officers, and had business with the justice.

I did not like this Englification and voice of claim and authority;
however, I drew on my stockings and breeks again, and taking my
wife's flannel coaty about my shoulders--for I was then troubled
with the rheumatiz--I went down, and, opening the door, let in the
lieutenant.

"I come," said he, "to show you my warrant and commission, and to
acquaint you that, having information of several able-bodied seamen
being in the town, I mean to make a search for them."

I really did not well know what to say at the moment; but I begged
him, for the love of peace and quietness, to defer his work till the
next morning: but he said he must obey his orders; and he was sorry
that it was his duty to be on so disagreeable a service, with many
other things, that showed something like a sense of compassion that
could not have been hoped for in the captain of a pressgang.

When he had said this, he then went away, saying, for he saw my
tribulation, that it would be as well for me to be prepared in case
of any riot. This was the worst news of all; but what could I do?
I thereupon went again to Mrs Pawkie, and shaking her awake, told
her what was going on, and a terrified woman she was. I then
dressed myself with all possible expedition, and went to the town-