Smiling grimly at this allusion, he went out, and left me to meditate on what lay before me.  It was not pleasant, certainly; but then the incentive was so great!—­to join all whom I held dear, in a free land!  The light affliction would be but for a moment.

Monsieur Bort returned.  “All is arranged,” said he complacently.  “I have taken the porter who will roll you into the secret.  He promises to be as careful of you as he can.  An officer on board is likewise in my confidence:  he engages you shall be released as soon as the vessel is fairly under weigh.  So take heart; it will be but a short trial compared with what many Huguenots are put to.  Take this money and these papers—­”

After some business directions he accompanied me to the warehouse, where the cask awaited me, with some hay to soften my journey in it.

“You are a pipe of Bordeaux, going as a present to my particular friend in London,” said he, smiling.  “Now, behave yourself as a good pipe of wine should; and don’t cry out even if you are hurt.  See, there are some air-holes.  You won’t stifle.”

“They are very small—­”

“How can that be helped?  Who would have doors and windows in a wine-cask?  You will get on board alive, will be released when well to sea, and must not mind a little discomfort.”

We shook hands, and I stepped in and settled myself as well as I could, with my mouth close to one of the air-holes; and the cask was closed upon me.  The next minute I was rolled slowly off; and a most odd sensation it was!  I advise you to try it, if you would like something perfectly new; but have bigger air-holes if you can; and even then let your experiment be short.

I verily believe the porter did his best for me; but how slowly he rolled:  and even then what bumps and jolts I had when we came to uneven ground!  Now and then he stopped, to wipe his face and rest, seemingly—­then on we trundled again Meanwhile I was getting exceedingly hot; all the blood in my body seemed mounting into my head:  and unpleasant ideas of smothering obtruded themselves.  The noises around me told me we were on the wharf; then the jolting and bumping became worse than before:  I fancied I could tell we passed up a sloping plank and were on shipboard.  Then, without the least warning, I was rolled over and over, and then set upon my head! but a loud cry outside drowned a smothered cry within; and I was placed in a horizontal position again, with feelings impossible to describe.

I think I became sleepy after that; or else in a painless state of insensibility.  When I woke I was numb all over, and had to rub my dazzled eyes as the bright daylight broke in on them.

“He seems to like his quarters so well as to have no mind to turn out,” said a rough voice.

“He wants assistance,” said some one, in a kinder tone; and a handsome, frank-looking man laid hold of my arm, and helped me to rise.  Above me were the sails and cordage of a ship; all around me the sparkling blue waves, leaping in freedom.  I clasped my hands, and raised them to heaven.