felt more happy than at hearing these words – how they soothed my mind! – I, however, feigned not to comprehend him perfectly, that my ears might again hear them. He repeated the same expressions; which caused me so much emotion, being confident that a man in his station would not tell an untruth, that I was actually on the point of declaring what we were. However, I governed myself and restrained my desire to relate the truth, although I am at a loss to explain how I was able to do so; and turning to my companions, I observed, that we had better proceed to the tavern, as we were very much fatigued. The director ordered a sergeant to shew us the way. We took a cordial leave of this worthy old man, and followed our guide. So delighted were we with the last news, which I still heard re-echo in my ears, that we had arrived at the tavern, which was at a considerable distance from the town house, before we thought we had advanced a hundred steps towards it. Here we were received as American gentlemen, and had an excellent supper and good beds; we felt superlatively happy. What a vast difference between our present situation, and that in the morning when between the two barriers!
“The next morning, we rose early, and endeavoured to adjust ourselves as well as we could, at least as well as our tattered garments would admit of; so procured a shift of linen, and prepared to wait on the director. We agreed to continue the American story, until we could be well assured of the disposition of the Austrian government. For my own part I would not have hesitated a moment to tell the whole truth, so fervently did I rely on this gentleman’s veracity; but the others were more cautious, for which I commended them. At ten, we visited the director; who again expressed great astonishment at our travelling with such success so great a distance, and wondered that we had nothing whatever to certify that we were Americans. Mr. Manuel (Hewson) was at the same time writing his declaration. The old gentleman again observed to me, that there were frequently Englishmen passing through Salzburgh, who had escaped from France, and who always found an asylum in Austria. I paid very great attention to this conversation. The chief mate had now finished his declaration; and Mr. Lincoln, passenger, was to begin next. – I really could not bring myself to begin so false a declaration, especially as it appeared that we ran no risk in declaring ourselves; and I therefore again pointed out the consequences that such a step might occasion, with the certainty of being found out, as no doubt the court of Vienna would make every necessary enquiry through their consul at Altona, before they would pay any credit to our statement: the result of which would of course be detrimental to us, as we should be found impostors, and perhaps not be believed when we declared what we were in reality. They all agreed that my remarks were just; and I was requested by them, to take the old gentleman aside and make him acquainted with the whole circumstance. I accordingly did so, and proved to him by a certificate which I kept always sewed up in my clothes, that we were British officers. He said, it had appeared to him