"In this dilemma, I thought of a smuggler's widow, who carried on a little bit of a trade in the outskirts of the town, to whom I had done many a good turn out of regard for her husband, a brave-spirited fellow, who was shot by my side, while defending a cargo from the greedy clutches of the revenue rascals, and to her humble abode I bent my way. Glad, indeed, was she to see me, when I made myself known to her. I never knew a creature who appeared more delighted; and having told her how I was situated, actively she sat about insuring my safety. The next day, as I had anticipated, the particulars of my escape, with many exaggerations, were published all over the country. A price was set upon my head, and every hole and corner was searched, in the hope of finding the fugitive. I never felt more satisfaction than when I cut the petticoats. I was always kicking my shins against them. They hurt my spirit, and almost stifled my manhood. I was now dressed in a suit of sober brown, like a young apprentice, and I passed as the widow's nephew; serving in her shop, and going about her errands, as knowingly as if I had been a shop-boy all my life. For my sake the widow paid every possible attention to Virgo, who seemed never easy but when I was with her. The fear of discovery was always in her heart. She was restless, anxious, and melancholy.
"After a few months of this kind of life I grew quite as tired of it as I had been of my existence in the little bed-room of the gaoler's daughter. I longed for the freedom of the open sea. I felt an unconquerable desire to return to a life of enterprise. The chase, I thought, must by this time have been given up in despair; and, consequently, that now I might steer my course wherever I pleased. As I was reflecting upon the most available means of satisfying my desires, while alone pursuing some employment in the widow's little shop, who should enter, to inquire his direction to a neighbouring street, but the very last person I desired to see--Virgo's father.
"'No! surely! humph! ha! Yes, it must be. You rascal, I've found you, at last,' exclaimed the old brute, as he approached, and seized me by the collar. I had a wooden mallet in my hand at the moment; I gave it a swing round, and the gaoler fell senseless at my feet. Without stopping to acquaint any one with what I had done, I ran out of the house; and bending my way to the water-side, I inquired if any ship was on the point of sailing, and hearing that a merchant-vessel was waiting for a few hands before she started, I presented myself on board, offered my services, was engaged, and was sailing, far out of the reach of all pursuit, the same evening.