about three in the Morning
This was an odd way of obliging King _ James _ ; I speak not so much upon my own account , -LRB- though I was reduc 'd at the same Time -RRB- because I had a Sufficiency elsewhere to keep me from Starving ; but it was but a melancholly sight to behold poor Men strolling upon the Road , not knowing which way to direct their Course , and begging Alms through those Towns in which a little before they had Triumph 'd in Victory . But the Rod is often thrown away and burnt after the Child is Whip 'd . Upon this Occasion it was that I took leave of _ Mars _ , resolving to make use of this Interval of Peace , to satisfy an old Curiosity to see _ England _ , a Place as yet I never had beheld . Some Acquaintance I had contracted at _ Dunkirk _ , made me willing to take Shipping there , besides the hopes I had of decoying a pleasant Gentleman for my Companion , and upon my Arrival I found him in a good Humour , so we set Sail about three in the Morning , and came under _ North Foreland Point _ about seven the same Day . The Master of the Vessel , though he was an old Coaster , was not willing to trust himself among the Flats in a dark Moon , so we lay at Anchor all Night , and in the Morning by peep of Day , the Wind being pretty favourable , we weigh 'd and pursu 'd our Voyage up the River ; but being a little too soon for the Tyde , we struck upon a Sand Bed , and oblig 'd to remain ther till the Rise of the Water . I was all alone in the Master 's Cabin when this Accident happen 'd , but being very intent upon a Book , I was not sensible whether we mov 'd or stood still . A Lady who was with the rest of the Passengers upon Deck coming hastily down , Sir , said she .