wagon. In order to avoid Konigsberg, we passed through the
smaller villages and over bad roads. Even this short distance was
not to be covered without accident. The clumsy conveyance upset
in a farmyard, and Minna was so severely indisposed by the
accident, owing to an internal shock, that I had to drag her--
with the greatest difficulty, as she was quite helpless--to a
peasant's house. The people were surly and dirty, and the night
we spent there was a painful one for the poor sufferer. A delay
of several days occurred before the departure of the Pillau
vessel, but this was welcome as a respite to allow of Minna's
recovery. Finally, as the captain was to take us without a
passport, our going on board was accompanied by exceptional
difficulties. We had to contrive to slip past the harbour watch
to our vessel in a small boat before daybreak. Once on board, we
still had the troublesome task of hauling Robber up the steep
side of the vessel without attracting attention, and after that
to conceal ourselves at once below deck, in order to escape the
notice of officials visiting the ship before its departure. The
anchor was weighed, and at last, as the land faded gradually out
of sight, we thought we could breathe freely and feel at ease.

We were on board a merchant vessel of the smallest type. She was
called the Thetis; a bust of the nymph was erected in the bows,
and she carried a crew of seven men, including the captain. With
good weather, such as was to be expected in summer, the journey
to London was estimated to take eight days. However, before we
had left the Baltic, we were delayed by a prolonged calm. I made
use of the time to improve my knowledge of French by the study of
a novel, La Derniere Aldini, by George Sand. We also derived some
entertainment from associating with the crew. There was an