GUARD-HOUSE . 147 



Portsmouth, afterwards Mr. Justice Burroughs, in a case 

 of false imprisonment, that nearly caused a rupture 

 between me and the friend I had recently selected as my 

 companion upon so happy an occasion. 



About five or six weeks before that event, the L.S. — 

 the society I have before spoken of — spent the evening 

 with a member who lived at some little distance. In 

 returning, three of us, whose homes lay in the same 

 direction, were walking quietly together. My friend's 

 voice, which was at no time a falsetto, attracted the notice 

 of the sergeant of the guard, who, with two of his men, 

 were going the rounds ; he challenged us, and demanded 

 the countersign. 



My friend, not being accustomed to obey so peremptory 

 an order, himself commanding at the time the volunteer 

 rifle corps, a little altercation ensued, which ended in all 

 three of us being taken to the guard-house, where we 

 were detained some little time ; but, on the arrival of the 

 field-officer of the day, were set at liberty. 



This breach of the law by the military, in interfering 

 or imposing their authority on peaceful citizens, we were 

 determined not to let pass unnoticed. We therefore 

 applied to the magistrate for a summons against the 

 sergeant, and he, on hearing our complaint, with very 

 little deliberation committed him to the sessions for assault 

 and false imprisonment. 



On the day appointed, when we all three attended, my 

 friend's case came on first ; after hearing the evidence, 

 which was very clear and concise, the jury found the 

 prisoner guilty, and the Recorder sentenced him to one 

 week's further imprisonment. 



