My beard, unkempt now for many weeks, had grown till it made my face look very fierce and manly; and my hair, once close-cropped, now fell heavily below my ears.

And the scar I got on the _Rata_ gave me so ferocious a look that I had a mind well-nigh to doubt myself, when first I saw it.
"'Tis little wonder if they know thee not," said Will, "for thou art passably handsome now, whereas once--" Here he left me to guess what I had been.
Be that as it may, I was pleased enough with the change for so far, and spared my fee to the barber.

And as for my old comrades, I had other signs to make myself known to them, as they soon discovered by the aching of their heads and the soreness of their ribs.

For I soon shook off my sickness and was as ready for knocks as ever.
Yet you may guess if, with it all, I was merry! The printing-house without Temple Bar was as black and desolate as a tomb, with a great lock belonging to the Stationers' Company hanging on the door.

When I asked the neighbours concerning my master, they pulled long faces and told me he was given over to desperate ventures, and with his family had fled the country; and 'twas well for him, said they, no one knew where he hid.
I knew not which way to turn.