BONAPARTE 165 



tionary plainly told us that, as our bills had yet some 

 time to run, we could not proceed against the man either 

 criminally or civilly. The latter I very well kne"\v, and 

 it appeared the rascal had made terms with the person 

 who had caused him to be arrested, and now the man 

 himself, entering the toAvn-clerk's office, offered to arrange 

 matters with me. 



Saying I would have nothing to do with such a scoun- 

 drel, I walked out ; and the mayor having withdrawn the 

 officer, I took the horses away. And thus, reader, 

 terminates this what in seafarino; lano-uage would be called 

 a long yarn. 



I was subsequently served with a writ for unlawfully 

 taking the horses ; but after the first process — of which I 

 took no notice — I heard no more about it. 



I got my horses safe home, and sold them to a gentle- 

 man in the town for £120 ; so I was not much the loser, 

 while the linendraper was not so fortunate, for he never 

 got a farthing. 



It was during this brief period of my prosperity, which 

 to look back upon appears like a fitful dream, that I 

 frequently conferred with my friend upon its probable 

 and speedy termination. 



He would treat such thoughts, not with contempt or 

 ridicule, or indifference, but with a tacit acknowledgment 

 that evinced his dislike to the subject. 



Victory after victory had only induced our Government 

 to make the most gigantic efi'orts, in concert with our 

 allies, to complete the overthrow of the vainglorious 

 man whose elevation cost his country so heavy an ex- 

 penditure of treasure and blood, and in furtherance of 



