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⟨were⟩ two miles wide John addressed his ⟨companions⟩ in the following terms: ⟨My⟩ Friends, I can assure you there is a {{reconstruct|vcry strong and powerful press-gang ⟨at⟩ the south ferry, which are more ⟨than⟩ able to carry every man of us on board the tender. I have devised a ⟨scheme⟩, which I am certain will ⟨save⟩ ⟨the⟩ whole of us if you submit; if you do not, you are gone. I have not time to tell you the nature of my plan; but you are to obey my orders," Long before this period the people in his native place, had full confidence in Johns abilities, and they therefore gladly submitted to his command. The boat in a short time arrived at the shore, where the gang were standing on the pier. Our hero was the first who jumped ashore, and with the air of a veteran, ordered his whole company to fall in, with the piper at their head, while John went along and counted the files, and ordered the piper to play a favorite tune, while the whole band marched
