and the piscatory tormentor having gloated for some time over the victim of his lingering cruelty, and deposited it in his basket, Jocelyn was again preparing to depart, for which purpose he requested his hat and cloak.—“ Harkye, young man," said Izaak, as he handed them to him,-you have heard my name; let it go no further, for though I would have saved you from a bailiff, I little deemed you were pursued by a serjeant-at-arms with a King's warrant. I meddle not with such matters, but have ever learnt to obey pastors and masters, and all that are in authority over us.' Learn thou too, to fear God, honour the King, and love thy fellowcreatures; and with this advice, as I desire no fellowship with violators of the law, I say unto thee, as Micaiah said to Ahab, 'Go and prosper!'

6

Jocelyn expressed the warmest gratitude for the assistance he had received, declaring that it was doubly acceptable from so celebrated a person as the admired author of the Complete Angler."My good young man!" exclaimed Izaak, taking him by the hand, while his whole countenance beamed with satisfaction, "you do me honour. I shall be happy to be better acquainted, that I may give you some instructions in the noble art, wherein, to say the truth, thou art but a sad and sorry tyro."

"I fear I shall ever continue so,” replied our hero, who was no admirer of the "noble art:" and with these words again bowing to his preserver, and

thanking him, he retraced his steps towards the lane, for the purpose of regaining the house, where he thought he should be safe, at least for the present, and might consider at better leisure how he should dispose of himself for the future. The old gardener welcomed him back to his hiding-place, which began to assume a less cheerless aspect when he considered it as a probable refuge from the Gate-house, a dismal receptacle to which he had not the smallest inclination to be a second time consigned.

In the course of this day he received another visit from the Queen's usher, to whom he related his adventure. "I am not at all surprised at it," replied Tracy, for I observed a horseman following me last trip, and methought the same fellow was dogging me to-day. Your lair is discovered, and no time must be lost in changing it. England will soon be made too hot to hold you: are you ready for a trip to Holland !"

"As soon as you please," replied Jocelyn."Then let us seize time by the forelock," said his companion, and trust to our heels for a flight to Bow-bridge, where we can take boat for the Thames. Anticipating the necessity of this measure, I have already secured your passage with the skipper of a Dutch galliot; and will take care, before you sail, to procure you such a letter of introduction from my uncle the merchant, as will ensure you a welcome reception in the land of dykes and

dams." Crossing the country at a brisk pace, they reached the destined point without obstruction, where they entered a wherry; and Jocelyn was in due time put on board the vessel, being introduced to the captain as a young man going out as clerk to the great merchant of Rotterdam, Adrian Beverning. Having delivered to the fugitive a purse of gold transmitted by the Queen, and promised to send his luggage and effects from Hampton Court, as well as the promised letter of introduction, Tracy took his departure; leaving our hero to meditate upon the strange vicissitude which had thus unexpectedly compelled him to exchange the luxuries of a palace for the abominations of a small Dutch galliot, whose crew were at that moment surrounding a pot of boiled peas and pork, while the whole vessel was enveloped in a fog of steam and smoke, and perfumed with the mingled odours of pitch, pork, tobacco, and red-herrings.

CHAPTER VI.

"These things to hear

Would Desdemona seriously incline;

But still the house affairs would draw her thence,
Which ever as she could with haste dispatch

She'd come again, and with a greedy ear

Devour up my discourse."

SHAKSPEARE.

In this miserable floating hovel, obliged to participate in the coarse fare, and submit to the coarser fellowship of boozing mer-men; with no occupation by day, and an old ticking stuffed with peashells for his bed at night; did Jocelyn pass the greater part of a most uncomfortable week, until his effects arrived from Hampton Court, as well as his credentials from Tracy's uncle. Tracy himself did not again make his appearance, suspecting that all his movements were watched, and apprehensive that by this means an embargo might be placed on the vessel, or an officer sent on board who would infallibly curtail the travels of the pretended merchant's clerk. The cargo was now completed:

and our hero, anxious to escape from the wretched galliot, in which he was the only passenger, gladly saw the hatch battened down, the mooring rope cast off, and the sails hoisted. As if to atone for the previous delay, the remainder of the voyage, under the speeding influence of favourable winds, proved rapid and fortunate. In less than the usual period assigned to the passage, they discovered Schonhoven and the Island of Goree; then the mouth of the Maas, which river they shortly entered; and coasting along its low slimy shore fringed with osiers, interspersed here and there with a stunted polled willow, they passed Maaslandsleys. From this point the banks began to assume a more picturesque aspect, being lined with farm-houses, villages, and handsome avenues of trees, enlivened by moving groups of people, and herds of cattle that seemed to rival their owners in sleekness and solidity of appearance. The gates of the city being shut and the boom closed, when they reached Rotterdam, Jocelyn was fain to remain on board another night; a penance which he endured with the less patience as it was entirely attributable to the obstinacy of the captain, who persisted in sending a boat ashore to buy a pound of tobacco at a particular shop, although warned by the pilot that it would occasion his being shut out for the night.

At an early hour on the following morning our hero landed, and, entering the city by the old gate, was struck with the numerous canals, covered with