104 TRAVELS IN ' 
lutely refufed. 1 knew not a greater punifli- 
ment than fuch inteiTuptions ; and every time 
I paffed through the eftate of a planter, I was 
feked as with a fever when 1 faw the pro- 
prieior, with whofe compliments I was before 
acquainted : that is, I muft fleep at his houfe, 
and fpend a whole day in drinking and fmok- 
ing with him, I employed myfelf on my 
journey almoft entirely in fearching for pre- 
texts to elude the purfuit of thefe good people, 
Bear whofe habitations I dared neither to flop 
nor encamp : a man fearful of being robbed 
by them would not have fliunned their ap- 
proach with more care than I did. How of- 
tc - when talking with my companions, did I 
figh af the moment when I fhould fee be- 
hind mc tliC -^'fl: houfe of this too hofpitable 
colony ! 
I haftened my march as much as pofli- 
ble, wifhing to enca np on the other fide of- 
the Kruys. This precipitation was not unat- 
tended with danger, as I learned rc my coft j 
for my life had nearly been the facrifice. 
When at the diftance of about a quarter of 
a ieag le from the river, night overtook me. 
Had I been more prudent 1 fhould have en- 
camped 
