Accordingly, after he had finished his devotions, and broken his fast, he put his design into execution.

His first act, after locking the door behind him, which he did as a measure of precaution, was to fall on his knees and offer up prayers to Heaven for his signal preservation.

He then arose, and, stepping into the middle of the street, gazed at the habitation which had formed his prison and refuge for nearly six months.

There it was, with its shutters closed and barred--a secure asylum, with all alive within it, while every other dwelling in the street was desolate.
The grocer's sensations were novel and extraordinary.

His first impulse was to enjoy his newly-recovered freedom, and to put himself into active motion.