which they were compelled to live. All the evils that had lately been endured by her tribe, she attributed to improper connexions of this kind, and threatened to punish any one who in future despised her admonitions. The company then retired, and began to pack up for their journey. Allan felt mortified at being dismissed without ceremony, and at being deprived of the value of his tankard with out the slightest apology. He now conjectured that Madge had compelled him to attend this meet. ing for the sake of his music, of which she appeared very fond. However, he durst not grumble, for Madge was not slow in punishing any symptom of sedition.

Having agreed to accompany his new mistress into Westmoreland, they travelled southwards towards Gilsland, and, crossing by Glenwhelt, tra versed Knaresdale towards Alston, where they resolved to halt. Here his pipe-music was well rewarded; but as he spent too much of his time in drinking and poaching, his companion insisted upon proceeding to Appleby. On reaching this town, they took lodgings at a small public house. Next day, Allan's female partner went off for a few days, upon an excursion into the country; while he re mained to exercise his profession. Having played one day to a company of gentlemen at the head inn, he was liberally rewarded, and returned to his lodgings in high spirits. On entering the house, he perceived two women sitting; the one a bony, hard-featured person, with a sinister look; the other suddenly turned her head about, and concealed her face with her bonnet. But Allan had seen

P

enough to enable him to recognize his wife Jean He, however, concealed his emotion, and, walking up to the landlady, requested the loan of a candle for a minute, and ordered her to prepare supper for himself and a friend. He then walked leisurely up stairs to his bed-room, when he packed up his cloaths and pipes, fastened the door, blew out the candle, and descended gently from the window. He then entered, by a back gateway, the yard of the inn where he had been playing; and knowing that both the hostler and the landlord were drunk, he went into the stable, saddled a horse belonging to a London traveller, and, after leading him out boldly, rode off. The night was dark and rainy; but he proceeded with great speed towards Penrith. Before he entered this place, he contrived to alter the appearance of the horse so completely, that even his owner could not have sworn to him.

Allan knew not why Jean continued to follow him with such pertinacity; but he dreaded that her intentions were not charitable, and he was resolved not to encounter her, if possible. The idea of removing to Ireland returned with renewed strength; and having exchanged the horse for a small galloway and ten guineas, he set off across the country with the utmost speed. Having sunk the cloaths he wore in a peat hole, he put on his best suit; and on reaching Whitehaven, he sold the galloway, and took his passage in a vessel which was bound to Dublin, and which was under weigh when he reached the harbour.

CHAPTER IX.

Allan's Voyage to Dublin---A new Friend---Flattering Encouragement---Commences Beau---Embarrassments---Arrest---Escape---Retaken---Volunteers to the East India Company's Service---Effects of Music in a Ship---Becomes an Officer's Servant---Crosses the Line---Arrival at St. Helena.

AMONGST the passengers was a gentleman who was very fond of music, and who performed well on the flute. He was quite enchanted with Allan's execution, both on the pipes and the hautboy, and promised him, if he settled in Dublin, his support and patronage. Nor were these empty words; for the gentleman, who moved in the higher circles of life, exerted himself actively and successfully in establishing his reputation as a musician. By his advice, he took respectable lodgings, charged a high price for giving lessons on the small pipes, and refused all nightly engagements unless he was assured of being handsomely remunerated. The Irish estimated his professional talents very highly, and his income soon averaged ten pounds a week.

3

Allan was for a short time steady and attentive. But a ridiculous whim very shortly entered his wandering fancy: he became ambitious to set up for a man of fashion, and to this intent purchased cloaths of the best quality, bought insignificant and expensive ornaments, and, having reached the climax of folly, furnished a genteel house, in which he placed an extravagant and abandoned mistress, who soon involved him in debts which he had no

means of paying; for his income, although great, was no way adequate to the support of such extravagances.

To the upholsterer that furnished his house, Allan had promised payment by instalments, at twelve, fifteen, and eighteen months. When the first payment became due, he pretended that he had been disappointed in a remittance from England, but that he would, in the course of six weeks, pay one half of the debt, which amounted to one hundred and twenty pounds. This being agreed upon, he thought himself secure for that time, and intended in the interim to dispose of the furniture to the best advantage, and decamp. But this swindling scheme was frustrated; for the same day, a draper, to whom he was indebted thirty pounds, took out a writ to arrest him. His situation was now critical: should he be taken, years of imprisonment was the probable consequence; and being entirely destitute of money, he had no prospect of escaping but by disposing of property not his own. He therefore secured several articles of silver plate, and the most valuable part of his wearing apparel, and then hurried to a distant quarter of the city to dispose of the plate, for which article he found a ready market at the shop of a conscientious Jew, who gave him less than one half of its value.

But notwithstanding all his precautions, the upholsterer was quickly informed of this transaction, and succeeded in apprehending him for swindling Allan, as usual, submitted with a good grace, and accompanied the officers with a cheerful air, till they reached a spot with which he was well ac

quainted, when making a sudden spring, he instantly disappeared through a narrow passage, and took refuge in the house of a courtezan, who lodged him in a place of safety; and though diligent search was made by the officers, he remained undiscovered in this retreat.

Next day, his faithful protectress purchased him an old suit of cloaths, and found out a vessel which was destined to sail for Bristol about midnight. She also gave intelligence that various officers and informers were upon the look-out, in conséquence of printed advertisements posted up in various parts of the city, giving a particular description of his person, dress, and occupation, and offering a reward of ten pounds for his apprehension; threatening, at the same time, a prosecution against any person who harboured or concealed him. Allan, however, felt secure in his disguise, and reached the vessel without experiencing any interruption.

But his triumph was short; for, either from a love of ornament, or the want of prudence, he kept on a pair of smart shoes, with large silver buckles. This excited the notice and suspicion of a custom house officer aboard, who, after observing him attentively, called assistance and took him into custody. Next day, the upholsterer swore to his person, when he was committed to prison, where he remained three weeks. At this time, an agent in the East India Company's service arrived; and liberty being granted to several young men confined for petty crimes to enlist into their service, Allan eagerly accepted the offer, with the hope of making his escape. He was accordingly, with se