In the meantime I forbore speaking to any of my relations in regard to the voyage, and, as I busied myself ostensibly with my usual studies, it was supposed that I had abandoned the design.
I have since frequently examined my conduct on this occasion with sentiments of displeasure as well as of surprise.

The intense hypocrisy I made use of for the furtherance of my project--an hypocrisy pervading every word and action of my life for so long a period of time--could only have been rendered tolerable to myself by the wild and burning expectation with which I looked forward to the fulfilment of my long-cherished visions of travel.
In pursuance of my scheme of deception, I was necessarily obliged to leave much to the management of Augustus, who was employed for the greater part of every day on board the Grampus, attending to some arrangements for his father in the cabin and cabin hold.

At night, however, we were sure to have a conference and talk over our hopes.
After nearly a month passed in this manner, without our hitting upon any plan we thought likely to succeed, he told me at last that he had determined upon everything necessary.

I had a relation living in New Bedford, a Mr.Ross, at whose house I was in the habit of spending occasionally two or three weeks at a time.

The brig was to sail about the middle of June (June, 1827), and it was agreed that, a day or two before her putting to sea, my father was to receive a note, as usual, from Mr.Ross, asking me to come over and spend a fortnight with Robert and Emmet (his sons).