He was now introduced to a man of squalid appearance, with whom they all shook hands: the mode of introduction was not however of so satis-factory a description as had been expected, being very laconic, and conveyed in the following language:--"We have got him." "Yes, yes, it is all right--come, Jack, serve us out some grog, and then to business." The poor Comedian in the mean time was left in the utmost anxiety and surprise to form an opinion of his situation; for as he had heard something about trepanning, pressing, &c.

he could not help entertaining serious suspicion that he should either be com-pelled to serve as a soldier or a sailor; and as he had no intention "to gain a name in arms," they were neither of them suitable to his inclinations.
"Come," (said one) walk up stairs and sit down--Jack, bring the lush "-- and up stairs they went.
Upon entering a gloomy room, somewhat large, with only a small candle, he had not much opportunity of discovering what sort of a place it was, though it looked wretched enough.

The grog was brought--"Here's all round the grave- stone, (said one)--come, drink away, my hearty--don't be alarm'd, we are rum fellows, and we'll put you up to a rig or two--we are got a rum covey in the corner there, and you must lend us a hand to get rid of him:" then, holding up the light, what was the surprise of the poor Comedian to espy a dead body of a man--"You can help us to get him away, and by G----you shall, too, it's of no use to flinch now." A circumstance of this kind was new to him, so that his perplexity was only increased by the discovery; but he plainly perceived by the last declaration, that having engaged in the business, it would be of no use to leave it half done: he therefore remained silent upon the subject, drank his grog, when Jack came up stairs to say the cart was ready.
"Lend a hand, (said one of them) let us get our load down stairs--come, my Master, turn to with a good heart, all's right." With this the body was conveyed down stairs.
At the back of the house was a small yard separated from a neighbouring street by a wall--a signal was given by some one on the other side which was understood by those within-- it was approaching nine o'clock, and a dark night--"Come, (said one of them,) mount you to the top of the wall, and ding the covey over to the carcass-carter." This being complied with, the dead body was handed up to him, which was no sooner done than the Carman outside, perceiving the Watchman approach--"It von't do," said he, and giving a whistle, drove his cart with an assumed air of carelessness away; while the poor Comedian, who had a new character to support, in which he did not conceive himself well up,{1} was holding the dead man on his lap with the legs projecting over the wall; it was a situation of the utmost delicacy and there was no time to recast the part, he was therefore, obliged to blunder through it as well as he could; the perspiration of the living man fell plentifully on the features of the dead as the Charley approached in a position to pass directly under him.

Those inside had sought the shelter of the house, telling him to remain quiet till the old Scout was gone by.

Now although he was not fully acquainted with the consequences of discovery, he was willing and anxious to avoid them: he therefore took the advice, and scarcely moved or breathed--"Past nine o'clock," said the Watchman, as he passed under the legs of the dead body without looking up, though he was within an inch of having his castor brushed off by them.