pointed when it went off, he had no great fear that the
consequences would be fatal. But an arrest in a strange country,
and while he was unprovided with any means of establishing his
rank and character, was at least to be avoided. He therefore
resolved to escape for the present to the neighbouring coast of
England, and to remain concealed there, if possible, until he
should receive letters from his regimental friends, and
remittances from his agent; and then to resume his own character,
and offer to young Hazlewood and his friends any explanation or
satisfaction they might desire. With this purpose he walked
stoutly forward, after leaving the spot where the accident had
happened, and reached without adventure the village which we have
called Portanferry (but which the reader will in vain seek for
under that name in the county map). A large open boat was just
about to leave the quay, bound for the little seaport of Allonby,
in Cumberland. In this vessel Brown embarked, and resolved to make
that place his temporary abode, until he should receive letters
and money from England.

In the course of their short voyage he entered into some
conversation with the steersman, who was also owner of the boat, a
jolly old man, who had occasionally been engaged in the smuggling
trade, like most fishers on the coast. After talking about objects
of less interest, Brown endeavoured to turn the discourse toward
the Mannering family. The sailor had heard of the attack upon the
house at Woodbourne, but disapproved of the smugglers'
proceedings.

'Hands off is fair play; zounds, they'll bring the whole country
down upon them. Na, na! when I was in that way I played at giff-