FISHES AND FISHING. 185 



and another of our cruisers, of the same class, spread- 

 ing every stitch of canvass, bearing down to assist in 

 the destruction of these craft. I made our skipper 

 hoist Danish colours, as I was fearful the man-of-war 

 brig, as she neared us, might cause some delay by 

 overhauliog us. We had to land at Dover in boats, 

 and the boatmen, many of whom knew me, expressed 

 80 much pleasure, not for me personally, but as a 

 principle, that one had escaped from the unjust im- 

 prisonment, more particularly in such an extraordinary 

 manner, that they almost disputed who should carry 

 me ashore. 



Mrs. Putland, a widow lady, who, with her family 

 of several children, came passengers in the St. Anna, 

 being disappointed of her eldest son's protection to 

 town, through his being on active service, as an officer 

 in the navy, asked me to take his place. I, therefore, 

 remained the next day at Dover, as her coach and 

 luggage had to be landed and cleared; and I had 

 enough to do to answer inquiries made by friends of 

 numerous persons who had been so villanously en- 

 trapped. At six in the morning of the 12th of July 

 we left Dover, with four good horses, and travelling 

 post. About three miles before we reached Dart- 

 ford, owing to neglect of proper greasing of the 

 wheels on the continent, one of the front wheels 

 took fire, which by water from a road- side cottage I 



