CHARLES WATERTON, ESQ. Ivii 



outlaw to go through the back door into a field of 

 standing canes. But so great was his perturbation, 

 that he jumped out of the window ; and, in lieu of 

 taking over a bridge close at hand, he ran through 

 a filthy trench, nearly up to the arm-pits in water. 



It was not more than half flood tide in the river ; 

 and, on this account, the officers could not land at 

 the house without walking up a square log of wood 

 which had been placed on the mud, and formed part 

 of the stelling, or wharf, for the accommodation -of 

 those who land when the water is low. On this 

 log I took my stand, and disputed the passage with 

 the officers of justice. They could not pass without 

 forcing me up to the middle in mud, or making me 

 retrace my steps up the log. When I thought 

 there had been time enough allowed for the fugitive 

 to make his escape, I returned to the house, they 

 following close on my steps, and entering into it 

 immediately after me. Not having succeeded in 

 the object of their search, they returned to the boat, 

 muttering curses in Dutch as they re-crossed the 

 threshold. 



The next day a warrant arrived, ordering me to 

 appear immediately at Government House. 



Although I did not know the governor personally, 

 I was pretty well acquainted with his character ; 

 and I was aware that there was only one way for 

 me to act. So I resolved at once to take him on his 

 weak side, if so it might be called. 



On my name being announced, he came into the 

 hall. Whilst looking at me full in the face, he ex- 

 claimed, in a voice too severe to last long : " And 

 so, Sir, you have dared to thwart the law, and to 



