Shortly before the passengers
arrived, the ship was cursorily inspected. He heard the round come
down the companion and look into one pen after another, until they
came within two of the one in which he lay concealed. Into these
last two they did not enter, but merely glanced from without; and
Alick had no doubt that he was personally favoured in this escape.
It was the character of the man to attribute nothing to luck and but
little to kindness; whatever happened to him he had earned in his own
right amply; favours came to him from his singular attraction and
adroitness, and misfortunes he had always accepted with his eyes
open. Half an hour after the searchers had departed, the steerage
began to fill with legitimate passengers, and the worst of Alick's
troubles was at an end. He was soon making himself popular, smoking
other people's tobacco, and politely sharing their private stock
delicacies, and when night came he retired to his bunk beside the
others with composure.
Next day by afternoon, Lough Foyle being already far behind, and only
the rough north-western hills of Ireland within view, Alick appeared
on deck to court inquiry and decide his fate.
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