Exchanging the farmer’s clothes for still another disguise, Israel now set out immediately, on foot, for his destination, having received minute directions as to his road, and arriving in White Waltham on the following morning was very cordially received by the gentleman to whom he carried the letter.  This person, another of the active English friends of America, possessed a particular knowledge of late events in that land.  To him Israel was indebted for much entertaining information.  After remaining some ten days at this place, word came from Squire Woodcock, requiring Israel’s immediate return, stating the hour at which he must arrive at the house, namely, two o’clock on the following morning.  So, after another night’s solitary trudge across the country, the wanderer was welcomed by the same three gentlemen as before, seated in the same room.

“The time has now come,” said Squire Woodcock.  “You must start this morning for Paris.  Take off your shoes.”

“Am I to steal from here to Paris on my stocking-feet?” said Israel, whose late easy good living at White Waltham had not failed to bring out the good-natured and mirthful part of him, even as his prior experiences had produced, for the most part, something like a contrary result.

“Oh, no,” smiled Horne Tooke, who always lived well, “we have seven-league-boots for you.  Don’t you remember my measuring you?”

Hereupon going to the closet, the Squire brought out a pair of new boots.  They were fitted with false heels.  Unscrewing these, the Squire showed Israel the papers concealed beneath.  They were of a fine tissuey fibre, and contained much writing in a very small compass.  The boots, it need hardly be said, had been particularly made for the occasion.

“Walk across the room with them,” said the Squire, when Israel had pulled them on.

“He’ll surely be discovered,” smiled Horne Tooke.  “Hark how he creaks.”

“Come, come, it’s too serious a matter for joking,” said the Squire.  “Now, my fine fellow, be cautious, be sober, be vigilant, and above all things be speedy.”

Being furnished now with all requisite directions, and a supply of money, Israel, taking leave of Mr. Tooke and Mr. Bridges, was secretly conducted down stairs by the Squire, and in five minutes’ time was on his way to Charing Cross in London, where taking the post-coach for Dover, he thence went in a packet to Calais, and in fifteen minutes after landing, was being wheeled over French soil towards Paris.  He arrived there in safety, and freely declaring himself an American, the peculiarly friendly relations of the two nations at that period, procured him kindly attentions even from strangers.

CHAPTER VII.

After A curious adventure upon the Pont Neuf, Israel enters the presence of the renowned sage, Dr. Franklin, whom he finds right learnedly and multifariously employed.