A boat brought me aboard, but, I repeat, I did not feel that I was lifted over her bulwarks.

Was I passed through a porthole?
But after all, what does it matter?
Whether I was lowered into the hold or not, I am certainly upon something that is floating and moving.
No doubt I shall soon be let out, together with Thomas Roch, supposing them to have locked him up as carefully as they have me.

By being let out, I mean being accorded permission to go on deck.

It will not be for some hours to come, however, that is certain, for they won't want us to be seen, so that there is no chance of getting a whiff of fresh air till we are well out at sea.

If it is a sailing vessel, she must have waited for a breeze--for the breeze that freshens off shore at daybreak, and is favorable to ships navigating Pamlico Sound.
It certainly cannot be a steamer.