[This is a full transcription of the first edition of The Narrative of Henry Tufts. It was transcribed by Daniel Allie, HenryTufts.com. I have included the page numbers of the 1807 edition.

This transcription is uncorrected, and includes many errors introduced during the process of typing it out, and lacks paragraph breaks. This version of the text is intended not for reading but for use as an index of Tufts’ text so you can locate items in the more usable editions of the text. You can perform a word search in your browser using the key command CTRL+F.

See other editions of the Narrative at https://henrytufts.wordpress.com/the-text/ ]

1. A NARRATIVE

OF THE

LIFE, ADVENTURES, TRAVELS AND SUFFERINGS

OF

HENRY TUFTS,

NOW RESIDING AT

LEMINGTON, IN THE DISTRICT OF MAINE.

IN SUBSTANCE, AS COMPILED FROM HIS OWN MOUTH.

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Ab ovo usque ad mala. OVID.

Meliora video, proboque, deteriora sequor. IDEM

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ENTERED AS THE ACT DIRECTS.

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DOVER, N.H. PRINTED BY SAMUEL BRAGG, JUN. —- 1807.

2. [blank]

PREFACE.

SINCE my life has been chequered with no small variety of adventures, and may, for the greater porion of it, be deemed extraordinary, I presume a short account of myself will not be un- pleasing to the public. For a number of years past has the name of HENRY TUFTS, the author and hero of the following narrative, been famous, or rather infamous, through most of the United States. But no part of my history has hitherto been pub- lished, either under sanction of my authority, or, to my privity, in any other way. Some, I doubt not will sufficiently admire that my accord should be given to the present publication, and think this a departure from the common maxims of my fra- ternity. Indeed an air of mystery lurks under the procedure, since who knows, that the greatest knaves and sharpers are ever the most vigilant in concealing their illicit practices.

4. PREFACE.

But to elucidate a point of such obscurity, and account, in some measure, for the propriety, or, if you please, novelty (in this instance) of my conduct, it may be necessary to announce, that, not unmind- ful of suitable examples, I have uniformly pursued the same prudential secrecy with my worthy pre- decessors, the knaves, &c. abovementioned, that is, as long as I thought myself obnoxious to the stroke of justice, or feared arraignment before the tribunal of man. But at length have my crimes and mis- demeanors become antiquated, and the effects of them, by lapse of time, been done away. I no longer dread the scourge of future punishment, for on me has been exhausted its almost every species. At length, too, has the notoriety of my misconduct deprived me of all credit in the world, hence my indifference, as to appearances, and disregard of the consequences of disclosure, must appear less singular. Having descended into the vale of years, become an old man, no longer conversant in those active and busy scenes which were once the objects of my eager pursuit ; the reasons, that heretofore compel- led me to secrecy and silence, have ceased to exist ; concealment has become no longer useful, and the

PREFACE. (v.)

suppression of truth unnecessary. I therefore in- tend, as my only practicable atonement of those I have injured, to give, with truth and sincerity, a faithful relation of the principal occurrences of my life, in as full and accurate a manner as my papers and recollection will enable me. And to this I am the rather induced, as many of my affairs have been misunderstood and grossly misrepresented ; by means of which I have been often condemned, in the public opinion, when entirely innocent, and sometimes acquitted, when really guilty. But as the major part of the following account was digested from the store house of memory, where long it lay quiescent in dormancy, perhaps, I may not, escape, the imputation of fallacy or intentional omission ; if such should be the result, permit me to say, that the insertion of material facts has been a matter of choice rather than the contrary. Being, in common with others, subject to forgetfulness, and truth, not fiction, the object of my views, I have, it is true, in matters of less moment, confined myself to mere general and ab- stract accounts, and this for fear of miserepresenta- tion, but in the more important concerns of my life, have exhibited more copious details. A2

6. PREFACE.

Would to God ! I could present the reader with the series of a life devoted to the pursuits of religion and virtue, but this, alas ! consistently with truth, is out of my power ; for what, but dissipation and error, has been the general tenor of my conduct ? Notorious as must be the above, it were folly in extreme to attempt imposition upon the public by accounts false or mutilated ; especially, as my co- temporaries are well knowing to most of the facts herein related, and could contradict my assertions if repugnant to truth. After all, should any con- clude, that the description of my own conduct is tinged with partiality, I would remind such, that were they in my situation, their ideas would be different on the subject. With cautious scrupulosity I have repressed the names of most of my accomplices, being averse to wounding the feelings of any, even of my inveter- ate adversaries. The want of literary advantages must apologize for defect of method and inelegancy of composi- tion ; in these respects, for the sake of the fastidi- ous, I wish my performance had been less excep- tionable, but, such as it is, I present it, without embellishments, for to such I make no pretences. Above all, I trust it may be useful, in some mea-

PREFACE (vii.)

sure, as a caveat to others, to shun such pursuits as have involved me in complicated difficulties and rendered my life truly miserable. If fable and romance have long amused the world and attracted its notice, why shall not plain truth and real fact, though clad in plebeian habili- ments, elicit subordinate attention ? One property of truth is, whether it illustrate virtue or depict vice, to afford manner from which some inference may be drawn or moral extracted, conducive to the use and benefit of mankind. A virtuous action is for the imitation of others, a vicious one for their avoidance ; the former should serve as an exam- ple, the latter as a warning. The history of the wise and benevolent is beneficial to society, by serv- ing as a pattern or stimulous to deeds equally lauda- ble ; that of the vicious, affords, also, instruction, by shewing the effects of vice and immorality. The one does good, positively, by alluring to virtue ; the other, negatively, by exhibiting guilt, infamy and punishment, as dissuasives from vice ; both may lead to the same end, although the opposites of each other. The author hereof, impressed with these senti- ments, and actuated, as he conceives, by the purest motives, in giving publicity to the following pages,

(viii.) PREFACE.

flatters himself with a favorable reception from the public, and wishing the candid reader health and prosperity, subscribes himself, his most obedient servant, HENRY TUFTS. Lemington, May, 1807.

[Bow]

[9]

NARRATIVE OF HENRY TUFTS. —- BOOK I. —- CHAPTER I.

Nor birth nor parentage, or mean, or great, Confers protection from the stroke of fate. —–

BEFORE proceeding with my own journal, it may be requisite to premise, for the sake of those personally acquainted with me, the little I know of my paternal ancestors, beginning with my grandfather, Thomas Tufts ; for further than him my researches have never ascended. He was born, as I have been told, in Devonshire, in England ; but whether he descended from honorable or mean parentage is the least of my concern, nor can I give any account. Certain, however, it is, he was a worthy and pious man ; but not relishing his sit- uation in England, he early availed of a transatlan- tic passage, bid farewel to his native shore, and em- igrated to Boston in Newengland ; his circumstan- ces, however, I imagine, were not greatly advanced by the removal.

10. NARRATIVE OF

As nature had endowed him with a literary pro- pensity, he now soon commenced, under the au- spices of a few friends, an academical course of study, finishing his education at the university of Cam- bridge ; whence he was dismissed with the honors of a bachelor’s degree. In process of time he be- came an ordained minister in Boston, and continued in his vocation, as a preacher of the gospel in that town, till the time of his decease, which happened in the year 1725 ; leaving a good report behind, and a name free from reproach. Besides other issue, he left a son, named Henry, whom, under providence, I acknowledge as the au- thor of my existence. As my grandfather’s condition in life was by no means affluent, the chief he he had been able to do for his son Henry, my father, was to place him an ap- prentice to one Witcher, a tailor, living in Boston. This man he faithfully served till twenty one years of age, when, becoming his own master, he tarried not long at Boston, but removed to Newmarket, in Newhampshire, where he married a woman, whose maiden name was Wedgwood. In the course of two or three years, he left Newmarket, and resided at Lee, an adjacent town, where finding himself more eligibly situated, he gave over the thoughts of further removal, and was shortly in a condition to purchase a small farm, by help of which, and his trade, as a tailor, he acquired no disreputable liveli- hood. He died in the seventy sixth year of his age, two years subsequent to the death of my mother, and the testimony of a good conscience, (I make no doubt) followed them both to their graves. They

HENRY TUFTS. (11)

left behind four children, to imitate, (if so inclined) the example of a life dedicated to religion and virtue. The above summary comprises such par- ticulars respecting my pedigree, as I judge of suf- ficient consequence to be here inserted ; I add, therefore, no more, but hasten to the recital of my own story. I, was born at Newmarket, in the State of Newhampshire, on the 24th day of June, A.D. 1748. My infantile years exhibited none of those characteristic marks of a depraved disposition, which were so fully developed in my riper manhood. Seeing therefore the following account is little other than a detail of the crimes I have committed, and of the frauds and impositions I have practiced upon others, I shall pass over that period in silence, as requiring no especial notice in these memoirs. Happy, doubtless, I might have considered my- self, had the whole term of my past existence been spent in equal innocency with the first fourteen years of it ; for then, in all probability, I had never experienced those rugged trials, or those bitter suf- ferings, which have since chequered my unpleasant journey through life. But lasting happiness was not in store for me, but ills in succession, sufficient to embitter by far the greater number of my days. When I was about the age just mentioned the bent of my genius began to display itself ; since at such an early stage, I exhibited numerous indica- tions of that natural propensity to theft, for which I was so distinguished in after periods, that my name became proverbial. My first efforts of this nature, were confined to the pilfering of apples, pears, cucumbers, and other

12. NARRATIVE OF

fruits of the earth, indiscriminately, in which spe- cies of depredation I sometimes shewed greater in- genuity, than was commonly to be met with in so juvenile a practitioner. After a while, growing more bold and hardened in the ways of misdoing, my thefts were of a different description and greater magnitude ; as a specimen of which the following may here suffice in lieu of more examples. Being at a neighbor’s house, one day, I chanced to expy, in the hands of the mistress, a paper money bill, which was deposited anon in the corner of her cupboard, as a place of imagined security. The enticing appearance of the bill, and the beautiful pictures and flourishes that adorned it, had fixed my attention and captivated my childish fancy. I had heard, too, that the value of each money was equal to the like sum in silver. Enough this, to make me covet the treasure, and lay some little stratagem for its attainment. I did so ; and was successful in its removal, unnoticed by the family. Soon, however, the woman missed her bill, when calling to mind, that none else had been present, she placed her suspicions upon me. To know the certainty of the matter, and recover her property, if possible, she repairs straightway to my father’s dwelling, who being informed of particulars, had the culprit forthcoming with a vengeance. At first I stiffly disclaimed all knowledge of the fact, but my accusers being strenuous, and myself unable to repel their arguments, I was brought, at last, to confess the fault, and restore the bill to its rightful owner. At the unlucky terminatio of this my first coup d’ essay, at genuine theft, my fellings were not a

HENRY TUFTS. (13)

little mortified, since the untoward affair was soon blazed abroad, and brought me to open disgrace. Even my playmates, as well as others, at every little miff, would cast it full in my teeth. The former petty robberies, which I had committed, occasion- ally, upon the nuts, apples, or fruits of the neigh- boring farmers, had been passed over as a trick of youth, and as matters of trivial import, in compari- son of this. But my last scandalous offence was construed to announce a vicious and depraved dis- position, which, might ripen into an aptitude for the perpetration of the worst of crimes. Observations of this sort I could hear resounding from different quarters, and was thereupon led into a series of reflections, upon the subject of theft and its consequences. My reveries were directed, how- ever, to unprofitable objects, for instead of contem- plating aright upon the doctrines of meum and tuum, as of age to ahve done in some measure ; instead of considering the sanctity of individual property ; weighing the vile and mercenary nature of my transgressions, or guarding against a further repe- tition of them, my mind was principally employed in adjusting the degrees of impunity, which might, or might not attend, the commission of such deeds in future. Ideas of this kind were my frequent concomi- tants ; and such is the prevalency of habit, that it naturally begets a mental alliance in its favor ; an inclination in the human breast to cherish familiar objects, whether their complexion be virtuous or vicious, beautiful or deformed. The above remarks were applicable to myself at this period, for the longer I digested the above subjects, the more I B

14. NARRATIVE OF

became attached to favorite irregularities, and more strongly inclined to provide means for their grati- fication. Such being my case I gave into the indulgence of corrupt appetites, and commenced a career of filching such small articles, as chance flung in my way. Success and safety generally attended those clandestine enterprizes, as I had learnt already the necessity of caution, and used to secrete each article till it might be disposed of to proper advantage. One affair took place about this time, which I recollect the more especially, as the tumult it made in the neighborhood, was a fruitful source of un- easiness to my feelings. Happening to pass, one day, through an adjacent field, in the season of reaping grain, I casually came across a sickle ; the opportunity was inviting, and the temptation too strong for resistance. I took it ; but having no immediate use for utensils of this stamp, concealed it, for the present, in a thick cluster of bushes. The owner, who had a suspicious temper of his own, soon wanting a sickle, and thinking me, of course the transgressor, came in a furious rage to my father’s habitation, and charged me with the theft. I denied the accusation with assurance, in somuch that the old gentleman, after broaching many invectives, and chafing himself to no purpose, was obliged to forego the bootless pursuit, and sub- mit, though against his grain, to my escaping with impunity. After the fround of a year I reclaimed the sickle, and converted it to my own emolument. The disposition, prompting those and the like petty larcenies, might no doubt, by means of whole- some admonition and strict discipline, have been

HENRY TUFTS. (15)

cured in these my juvenile years ; but as such cor- rectives were, in great measure, neglected, my vi- cious habits continually gained ground, till by length of time and fequent repetion, they became so strongly rooted, that neither the fear nor inflic- tion of punishment couls subdue the inveterate malady. Like as the tender oakling, while in a state of infancy, is obnoxious to the attacks of its feeblest foe ; but when it has stood for ages, and, by long duration, acquired growth and stability, it then braves the rude tempest, mocks at the insult- ing winds, and proudly stems those efforts, which once have been equal to accomplish its ruin. But not to trespass on the reader’s patience by moralizing thus on the censurable parts or my cha- racter, I shall, by adhering more strictly to the bare mention of facts, be less dffusive in future, leaving each to make his own comments.

[Bird on branch]

(16.) NARRATIVE OF

CHAP. II.

To my new optics novel scenes arise, And furnish copious matter for surprise. ——-

WHEN I was about sixteen years of age an occurrence happened, which well might have ended my days, and so have prevented the further career, both of my follies and sufferings on this sublunary stage. While returning home one sunday, from meeting, I chanced to be over- taken by an impetuous thunder storm. No house being near, I ran, with several others, for shelter, under a tall spreading pine, situate by the way side, on a Mr. Neal’s land. The violence of the tem- pest soon increased, and the low hung clouds, sur- charged with the watery element, poured down their torrents of rain, and emitted, in quick succes- sion, horrid flashes of lightning, accompanied with loud peals of thunder. By and by, a sudden flash, falling with terrific glare, struck the tree under which we were standing, and split it into myriads of pieces. A wooden tempest of splinters, which in fact darkened the air, flew off from the tree, as its center, in every direction, and overspread the earth at a considerable distance. With consternation and surprise we saw the lightning running in streams upon the drenched ground. All were greatly dismayed at the severity of the shock ; but as good fortune, or good providence would have it, none of us received the least corporal injury from the explosion.

HENRY TUFTS. (17)

Much about this time I went down into a deep, old well, for the purpose of cleaning it out ; there tarrying full three hours, and, having completed the task, I ascended, and, horrible to relate ! had freed myself from the dismal cavity scarcely a min- ute, when the loose rocks suddenly gave way, and, with a mighty crash, filled the whole void in an instant. At this astonishing spectacle my hair stood on end, to think how narrowly I had escaped de- struction by being buried in the ruins. Thus is man obnoxious ever to the stroke of fate ! thus is he liable to many latent, impending dangers, which human prudence can neither foresee nor pre- vent ! ! ! A while after the happening of these accidents, which made indeed but a transient impression on my mind, I laid a scheme, in concert with two other young fellows of my own standing, to steal some bread and cheese, and at the same time, to rob a cucumber yard, owned by one Stevens, a steady old farmer. My two accomplices, not being versant in exploits of this kind, were both extremely timid and doubtful, as to the issae of the enterprize ; and, when the case came really in hand, one of them declined entering the yard at all, by reason it was contiguous to the mansion of the proprietor. To induce our dispensing with his farther attend- ance, he offered to procure the bread and cheese, as he said he could take those articles from his own father’s house. On condition of his so doing, we agreed to excuse him, and he set out for home ac- cordingly. In the mean time the other youngster and myself (it being now late in the evening) ven- tured into the yard and stripped the vines of as ma- B 2

18. NARRATIVE OF

ny cucumbers as we could well carry away. We all three met again, the same evening, at a precon- certed place of rendezvous, when, to our transport, it appeared that our pusillanimous companion had made shift to acquire half a loaf of bread, and a large cheese weighing fourteen pounds. We all sat down in order to commence a pleasing repast ; but the thought struck my fancy, that I should much rather have the whole plunder to myself, than to share it in partnerships with my associates. No sooner did the idea enter my imagination, than sly- ly I took up a small pebble, threw it at one of my messmates, and with it hit him on the back. He was much started at the stroke, as not knowing from what quarter it proceeded ; while I also pretending to be panic struck, jumped up, exclaiming, with af- fected surprise, “they are coming in pursuit of us.” We all instantly took to our heels, myself in a dif- ferent route from the other two, but they sped on- ly a small distance ; wherefore least they should find out the mistake, and return, I counterfeited a va- riety of strange voices ; at the hearing of which the young novices were so sadly frightened, that they scampered away home as fast as their legs would carry them, adventuring no more back for the night. In a few minutes I returned to the cheese and cu- cumbers, and conveyed the whole away to a place of better security. The next day, meeting with the two young chaps, I told them, that, in trying to escape the night before, I had been unluckily over- taken by old Stevens, who found also and took pos- session of our booty, and besides threatened me so harshly that I was obliged to promise him three days work to compromise the affair. The young

HENRY TUFTS. (19)

lads readily swallowed this fictitious account, and were very well pleased that I had escaped so easily. Soon after they paid me a day’s work apiece, as their due share of the common penalty. From the time of this little adventure, ’till I was twenty one years of age, I pursued, at times, the same licentious system ; the theory of which I had always contemplated with increasing delight ; but since the latter part of my nonage was tinged with few events of darker complexion than those already noticed, I shall pass over that interval (being about four years) in silence, leaving the chasm to be fil- led up, in such way and manner, as the reader’s im- agination may suggest. I would it were possible to pursue this history without repeating, so frequently, the pronoun I ; but when the hero of the piece is the relator also, egotisms are unavoidable. I must therefore be- speak indulgence in that behalf.

[house and trees]

20. NARRATIVE OF

CHAP. III

All the world’s a stage And all the men and women merely players ; THey have their exits and their entrances, And one man, in his time plays many parts. SHAKESPEARE. —–

BUT now that the revolving wheel of time had rolled away twenty one years of my ex- istence, and admonished me, that I was, at length, my own man, and no longer subject to the mandates and authority of my parents, in the manner I had heretofore been, I began to think it high time to think of providing for myself. To this end I made application to my father desiring him to bestow on me some part of his property, as an encouragement to industry, and towards my obtaining a comfort- able subsistance in the world, in proportion as he had done by my elder brother. My father, for some time, evaded all direct answers to my requests, while I continued both solicitations and complaints. After he had been sufficiently teased (as perhaps he thought) with my importunities, he finally rejected my suit, declaring it his intention, that his eldest son should possess the whole of his estate, which, might be worth (as I supposed) one thousand dollars. Thus being disappointed in my hopes, and cut off from that, which had long been the ground of my only dependence, I grew angry and discontent- ed, not well knowing what steps to pursue. The reflection that I had pretty diligently served my father during minority, (the whole term of which

HENRY TUFTS. (21)

had been applied to the busiuess [sic] of husbandry) and that my labour had contributed in a great measure to the support of the family, was constantly present to my indignant view. I considered, also, that lit- tle or no time had been allowed me to obtain know- ledge, so that my education had been totally neglected, save the small pittance I had gleaned miscellaneously, by means of my own industry. My mind being continually agitated with consider- ations of this sort, I was induced to believe myself entitled to some share of my father’s estate, and thought I was injured by his ill-timed parsimony. Whereupon I determined at all events to seek re- dress, and that too in some clandestine manner, if unable to persuade him to do me justice : according- ly, though with diminished hopes of success, I made one trial more, to obtain his paternal assistance ; but his ideas upon the subject corresponding in no shape with my own, he remained inflexible, to my re- monstrances and deaf to every intreaty. Irritated at his obstinancy and my own ill treatment, I resolved, without more hesitation, to appropriate to my use some portion of his personal property, as a partial indemnification for the labour and toil I had ex- pended in his service. It is written (as ’tis said) in the Hebrew annals, that the man, who gave his son, neither property, education nor trade, brought him up to be a thief. The truth of this was verified in me, for after rumi- nating a while in order to concert the most eligible method, in which to be even with my sire, I at last concluded (as the outset and beginning of what I had further in view) to take his horse ; that being the most convenient article of his domestic inventory,

22. NARRATIVE OF

and best suited to the dispatch, that seemed needful in my novel undertaking. Accordingly, at a conve- nient season, under pretence of riding but a few miles, I made my flight with the horse to Chester, in Hampshire, where I sold him for about thirty dollars, in ready money Never till now had I been in possession of so con- siderable a sum. It appeared, in my enraptured view, as a plentiful fund, and sure earnest of future riches and prosperity. Already was I as much swollen in imagination, as though I had been pro- prietor of the mines of Potosi or Peru, and enjoyed imaginary happiness, in long perspective, as my in- dubitable destiny. With such sanguine hopes of success I now commenced those first peregrinations, which fortune afterwards compelled me to continue for many a painful year. Leaving Chester, I strolled from place to place, defraying itinerary expenses, in part by occasional labour, though principally with the contents of my purse. This mode of life continued for nearly two months. But mark the sequel of the present ad- ventures ; although on leaving home I had seriously resolved to return no more, at least for a long while, yet now finding my pecuniary avails to be daily diminishing, and myself unable to glide through the world in silver slippers, as the warmth of fancy had pourtrayed in such glowing colours ; and withal being too sickle and capricious to continue in the same mind long at a time, I began to repent that I had forsaken my paternal residence at all, and wish- ed most ardently to return thither. But the effects of my father’s displeasure I dreaded with peculiar awe ; and blamed the folly, that had produced the

HENRY TUFTS. (23)

present evils. Mean time the money, which, at first, I had contemplated with so much delight, continuing to dwindle, till scarce a moiety of its original sum remained ; my dreams of happiness be- came wholly dispelled, and my expectations of feli- city laide in the dust. In a word I found I had made a wrong estimate of human life, and resolved (however fearfully) to return home, like the prod- igal son, and apologise for my misconduct in the best manner I could ; hoping to pacify my parent, by paying him what money I had left, and which I thought might pretty well compensate for the loss of his horse. With these views I set off on foot for Lee, and arrived thither in the course of a few days. When I approached the much dreaded presence of my fath- er he appeared sorely displeased, and reprimanded me sharply for eloping with his horse, desiring to know where I had bestowed him. I replied, that I had sold him in Chester, and taking out the money I had left, presented it most respectfully, expressing, at the same time, great sorrow and con- trition for all past offences. He took the money, but complained that his horse was worth much more, and rebuked me sharply for my past bad conduct, which he predicted would bring me to the gallows in the end, if I persisted in such per- nicious practices. But my father’s displeasure sub- sided by degrees, and I continued to reside with him as formerly. Awhile after our reconciliation, I repaired to Nottingham, a neighboring town, with intention to reside there for a season. In this place I con- tracted some acquaintance with a young woman,

24. NARRATIVE OF

named Sally Hall. As lasciviousness I have every reason to suppose was an original ingredient in my composition, I made love to this damsel, and con- tinued the courtship, with ardour, for a time ; but at last her pregnancy was the result of our frequent intimacy. She gave me to understand her situa- tion, and hinted expectations of my healing the transgression by marriage. This however I had no intention of doing. At present I was averse from all thoughts of matrimonial alliance, especially so with the young woman in question, of whose virtue and accomplishments I had not the most exalted opinion. Nevertheless I gave her flattering encou- ragement, that, I would in due season comply with her wishes, only our connection must be kept secret, ’till things should be arranged to our liking. In this she fully acquiesced–my discourse as the sugar plum was pleasing to the credulous miss, and inas- much, as her reliance was strong on my assurances, she remained confidently easy for several months. But after that, as I neglected the accustomed visits, she became fully convinced of my duplicity and intention to deceive her, and, being at this crisis, urged on by her friends, she went and entered a complaint before Esq. Butler, a neighboring ma- gistrate, whose warrant for my arrestation was com- mitted to one Dearborn, a constable, with direc- tions to see me forth coming with all speed. This man dealt so craftily in the business, that, one day, he caught me by surprise, as I was walk- ing in a bye cross way, without suspicion of his or any other person’s being near. I was carried before Esquire Butler, and requested to find sureties for my personal appearance at the next Court of Gene-

HENRY TUFTS. (25)

ral Sessions of the peace, which then took cogni- zance of such matters. To be handled in this com- pulsatory manner was to me, at that early period of life, an entire novelty, for which reason I was greatly intimidated, not knowing in what way the affair would terminate. But as my propitious stars ordained, I was at this juncture, pretty well furnished with cash, and, by a judicious distribution of seven dollars to one man, three to another, and so on, made a number of fast and able friends, who promised to stick by and see the matter through. They fulfilled articles to a tittle, for, through their management, the girl was brought to settle for ten dollars, receiving which, she signed the back of the warrant satisfied, giving me a receipt too in full of all further demands. At this lucky escape from the noose, which had been spread for me so ingeniously, I felt completely happy, but at the precise moment of finishing the business with Sally, I received a fresh alarm, by the sudden appearance of a man named Peter Folsom, who, it seems, had procured a warrant against me for stealing his saddlebags. He had heard of my being in the custody of Dearborn, and thought this an opportune season for my apprehension, wherefore he came, with sundry adjutants, to exe- cute that purpose. However, by the help of my new-made friends, who, by the bye, were well paid for their trouble, I received some intimation of his designs. They advised me to make a private escape, if feasible, but if this failed, they were to knock down all, who should oppose my retreat. Having gained assurance of their utmost exertions at the moment necessity should call, I sallied out of doors C

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with intent to gain the woods, well knowing, when once there, I could baffle pursuit undoubtedly. But this attempt was frustrated in the bud, for unluckily I was seized by the adverse party within a few paces of the house. Still I manfully resisted their efforts, ’till, my confederates issuing forth, the rencountre became general, and was continued with undaunted heroism on both sides. Victory however remained no long time dubitable ere she declared herself decisively in our favor. We suc- ceeded in knocking down several of our opponents, and clearing my way from them all, I marched off triumphantly to the nearest thickets, where I lay concealed until evening. I then made the best of my way to Lee, inwardly exulting at the curious issue of those perplexing affairs. I was now free it is true, from the apprehension of a jail, on my forsaken mistress’s account, yet not so from the effects of our acquaintance, for the above so fascinating amour had made a deep impres- sion on m fancy, and rendered me more unstable than before. Being once initiated into the myste- ries of the cyprian Goddess, a natural warmth of temperament enrolled the name of Tufts among the number of her votaries ever afterwards. In line my inclination always fervid, but now fired with new incentives, impelled me, more strongly than formerly, to sacrifice at the shrine of Venus, nor could I resist the impulses of so bewitching a deity. It was, rather, my coat of arms to pursue what was pleasing in my own eyes, for to the rigid graces of self denial I was quite a stranger. From this period, therefore, I waxed more industrious in the pursuit of amorous adventures, and might, per-

HENRY TUFTS. (27)

haps in this course of the narrative, boast of success in atchievments [sic] of that kind, did it either become my intended gravity, or were it consistent with that taciturnity, which the delicacy of the fair sex has a right to impose. Disliking therefore all ambition of the foregoing cast, I mean not to plume myself on rehearsal of conquests in the fields of love, but, on the reverse, to abbreviate the detail of my juve- nile exploits, so far, at least, as to repress the names of my female favorites, whose connections with me are not already notorious. I now continued to reside with my parents, for a considerable space, and assisted them, as usual, in the management of their farm. Having met with such miserable success in the transfer of my father’s horse, I thought, contrary to former intentions, it would be the best policy to drop all ideas of seeking redress by stealth, in the hope he would one day relent and do me justice. In the interim I engaged in a variety of amours with sundry females, to whom I paid my addresses alternately, as best suited with my inclination or convenience. Nevertheless, when about twenty-two years of age, those tempor- ary connections were all dissolved by an occurrence, which then took place, and which finally termina- ted in my junction in marriage with the object of my fondest vows. The maiden name of the young woman, who thus engrossed my affections and cap- tivated my heart, was Lydia Bickford. She lived in Durham, a few miles distant from the place of my nativity. In one of my rambling excursions, to which I was invincibly prone, I happened to meet with her in company, and was so highly charm- ed with her person and conversation, that I ardent-

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ly coveted a more intimate acquaintance with so amiable an object. As her beauty in my partial views, appeared unrivalled–so, for other women, surely, I had never conceived such peculiar fancy. Unable to resist the fervency of passion, I made her repeated visits, and had the happiness of a favour- able reception. At the end of a few months I married and moved her home to the town of Lee. Ifthere be a propriety in denominating any por- tion of my adult life happy, the first summer of it subsequent to my marriage, is more especially entitled to that appellation, since with my pleasing wife, for whom I had a sincere affection, I lived in the utmost harmony and love. I met with no disturb- ance from abroad to allay the happiness I enjoyed at home, and seemed to have forgotten all former fol- lies and vagrances. My vices lay listless and dor- mant, as though they had lost primeval energy, and were fast progressing towards oblivion ; while each succeeding day wore a more serene aspect, and glided away in tranquility and peace. In supplying the wants of my little family I took real delight, and my endeavours were not altogether successless. Had those halcyon scenes continued but a few more years, while in the ardour of youth, and forming, as I then was, habits for life ; the seeds of vice inherent in my constitution, might have been stifled, perhaps, and overcome, so that I might never have perpetuated the crimes of which I am chargeable, or have passed through the dismal tragedies, that have since occupied the greater por- tion of my days. But this tranquil period was not designed for long continuance ; for, in truth, six months, from

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my marriage, had scarcely elapsed, ere an untoward affair took place, which involced me in greater dif- ficulties and disquietudes than ever ; the bare re- collection of those broils is yet productive of pain- ful emotions, and excites my indignation against the unjust author of them. The particulars shall be recounted briefly. I had a neighbour by the name of James Burleigh, a respectable farmer and man of account. Some how or other, about the time I mention, he lost two bushels of rye from his garret ; being well acquainted with my conduct from child- hood, particularly so, with the manner in which I had taken my father’s horse, his suspicions alighted upon me, so he had no hesitation in reporting that I had stolen his rye, for which it was reasonable I should make restitution. He came and charged me with the fact and threatened prosecution, in case of my refusal to make amends. I essayed to ex- culpate myself, by pleading ignorance of the matter in question ; but he discredited my assertions, went post haste and procured a warrant, by which I was arrested and carried before George Frost, Esq. who making some inquiry into the business, and finding the proof insufficient for conviction, intimated to Burleigh (as I have reason to believe) something to that amount, for the latter, by not having the war- rant returned in form, stopped all further proceed- ings and permitted my return home. But the com- plainant Burleigh, unsatisfied with this termination of the process, the writ was altered, as I supposed, or a new one procured, by virtue of which I was again taken into custody, and haled before Walter Bryant, jun. Esq. and there examined sufficiently. However, this magistrate, finding no colour of proof c. 2

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to my disadvantage, censured Burleigh’s whole management, and thereupon discharged me with- out day. And now seriously I affirm, that I know nothing of the rye abovementioned, nor do I believe it ever went, unless with the privity of Burleigh’s own fam- ily. I have been informed, that he laid himself open to an action, for this false and causeless accu- sation, and had I then known as much law, as I have since been obliged to learn, I should, positive- ly, have made him smart for his imprudence and folly. This transaction of Burleigh’s, I have ever deem- ed the birthday and beginning of the many mis- chiefs and misfortunes, which, with few intermis- sions, have constantly attended me since that period. Condemnation, in the contest, I had escaped, it is true, yet the affair had caused me considerable loss of time and experience, and still more vexation of spirit. But now that it had terminated in my fa- vour, I was in good hopes that the whole would have slept in oblivion, as would have been but equi- ty, considering I was so entirely innocent of the charge. But the matter was not permitted to rest here. For it being published abroad that I had stolen Burleigh’s rye, and credit given the report, I was continually assailed with jests and reproaches, from friends, as well as foes. The more I endea- vored to obviate the fatality of the allegation, the louder was the clamour raised to my preju- dice, my wife also joining in the concert, though in a different tone. Every thing, stolen in the vi- cinity for years past, was now laid to the charge of Tufts. Protestations of innocence did not avail

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me, consequently I considered my character as ru- ined and my credit at an end. As I could ill brook such injurious treatment, my peace of mind became effectually destroyed, and life itself grew burthen- some. My wife was importunate to drive me into the law with those railing accusers, who thus calum- niated and aspersed my character, but poverty called aloud for prudence, and admonished me not to squander away, in vexatious suits, the small pittance I possessed, and which my little family so dearly needed for its subsistance. On the whole, I had no alternative but to remain at home, the butt of indignity and reviling, or else to leave family and friends, and seek a retreat in some distant quarter, where I should be an entire stranger. The latter was my determination.

[house and tree]

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CHAP. IV.

On a sudden open fly, with impetuous recoil, And jarring sound, th’infernal doors and on their hinges grate Harsh thunder, MILTON,

---

I RESOLVED to forsake Lee, but the reluctance with which I left my wife and tender child to the mercy of an unfeeling world, and per- haps forever, as I saw no probability of returning soon, exceeds all power of description. Suppres- sing, however, to the utmost, my feelings, on the distressful occasion, I bade adieu to my little family, and shaped my course eastwardly. Being but a troynovant in travelling, and quite unhackneyed in the ways of the world, I was put to many straits and difficulties in this new pilgrimage, but after visiting many places, I came at length to Saco, in the (then) province of Maine. Here in quest of refreshment I chanced to call into a certain house, in which I found a man by the name of James Dennis, by nation a Hibernian. With this man I entered into discourse, and was anon much pleased with his vivacity and the man- ner of his conversation. In the formation of our minds there was something congenial, I believe, which, like loadstone and steel, attracted each other. To him I made known as much of my situation and circumstances, as I thought prudent to disclose, in- forming him, that my present intention was to hire out as a day labourer. He acquainted me that he had already done the same, with the proprietor of

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the present house, and that his employer wished to engage another hand. To me this intelligence was grateful ; we went both together to the gen- tleman who, he said wanted to hire. I offered my services, and the conditions being agreed on, I went to work with Dennis the next day ; our employ- ment being husbandry and the clearing of new land. Myself and fellow labourer soon contracted a very familiar acquaintance, nature had endowed him with conversible powers, and for me he had imbibed no small predilection. He had ob- served me, however, to be frequently thoughtful, or in a brown study as it were, and was solicitous to know the occasion. As he had gained my esteem as well as confidence, I recapitulated my misfor- tunes and the cause of the dejection, which, he said, was so visible in my countenance. He smiled at the rehearsal and seemed to make light of my mis- haps, avering them to be merely ideal in compari- son with the evils, that had fallen to his share. My uneasiness he imputed to youth and inexperi- ence ; nevertheless, with much fraternal tenderness, he endeavoured to cheer my spirits with the hope of better days in embryo. This confabulation end- ed with a detail of some particulars of his own life, which I thought truly surprising. A few days after the above, hearing me com- plain of inability to support self and family in the manner I desired, he started as from a reverie, and said, if I would be led by his counsels, he would put me in a way to acquire some considerable property. I requested an explanation, so he went on to say, that he knew of a store in Saco, (Mr.

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Pickard’s of Ipswich) with every avenue to which he was perfectly acquainted, and out of which we might take goods to any amount whatever. The goods might be carried, without danger of discov- ry, into the country and be disposed of for ready money. This he observed would be a more expe- ditious method to acquire the desiderata, than was the dull employment to which we then submitted. In short, the scheme he had laid down far surpass- ed any thing of the kind, which had ever entered my imagination. Being no adept in the art of appropriating to myself, in a genteel manner, the property of others, I was suspicious of ill conse- quences, and therefore made objections, not only as to the feasibility of his plan, but to the danger of detection in its execution. But my demurs were all overruled by his engaging to be account- able for our success ultimately, in case of my sub- mission to his particular management. As I had no contemptible opinion of the man’s capacity, I consented without more ado, and thereon, collect- ing my arrear of wages, accompanied him forth- with to Saco, the compact part of which lay only seven miles distant. Dennis was very confident of success, and strove to encourage his drooping com- panion, but, to confess the truty, the fear of detec- tion was a prevailing ingredient with me, pending the whole voyage. We reached the village of Saco a little before nightfall, and entered a shop to procure the means of exhilirating [sic] our spirits, and of fitting us for the arduous enterprise. As the moments seemed pre- cious we resolved on effecting our business that very evening. Wherefore, after tippling till near

HENRY TUFTS. (35)

bed time, we sallied forth, and drew near the store in question, concealing ourselves by the way side, so as to observe all that passed. In this posture we waited till all was still, and the people in bed and asleep, as we presumed. Then we set forward, and coming up to the store, carefully reconnoitered every avenue. We were ate some loss about mat- ters, so withdrew to a small distance to hold con- sultation in what shape to commence the attack. My irish friend began by observing that one end of the shop had been fitted up for a wash house, and he rather supposed this the most vulnerable quarter. In short, we agreed to make a first essay on the wash house door. To this end Dennis led the van, while I, staggered at the magnitude of the attempt, followed with trepidation. On examination we found the door less strongly fastened, than we had imagined, for means were readily devised to force it open without disturb- ance. Instantly we entered the wash room, and waited, a few minutes, in a listening attitude, to catch the smallest echo, that might float through the air ; but no sounds vibrated on the ear ; a profound silence prevailed, as the general pulse of life stood still. It being tolerably dark we ventured, at length, to light a candle, which, by groping about, we found near the fire place. The only obstruction that now remained, was the door communicating with the store room. This entrance we found to be fast locked, but Dennis drew out his knife and cut the hinges. This was not difficult, seeing they were made only of leather. Every impediment being thus removed, Dennis directed me to leave

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the house, and watch by the side of the outer door, while he should explore the premises ; and since he knew me to be unversed, at that time, in the flash tongue, he desired me to preserve silence, and knock only against the door in case of alarm. I took post accordingly ; meanwhile my file leader went into the store and proceeded with my prosperity and dispatch. He found, however, but little mo- ney, for which reason it was needful to take the greater hold of other articles. Finally, he packed together two large bundles, consisting of English goods, and a few other commodities, to the value of about two hundred dollars, and brought them forth to the outer door. This whole business was completed in about thirty minutes, by which time we were ready for departure. But here I would just give a small piece of cautionary advice to shop- keepers in general : it is, to leave but little cash in such stores, as are remote from their dwelling houses, since the loss of goods may possibly be sus- tained with less inconveniency, than that of ready money, which is an article to be spared not alto- gether so well. With the booty we made our way through the compact part of the town, and then (veering) travelled westwardly six or eight miles, highly elated indeed with our fortunate acquisition. But now we arrived at the house of one Richard Dut- ton, and old acquaintance of Dennis’s, where we proposed to make a stand, and deposit our booty for the present. We acquainted Dutton and wife with the manner in which we had acquired the ar- ticles, they engaging to secrete them effectually, and befriend us. After devoting ourselves to rest

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and refreshment, during the residue of the night and greater part of the next day, and regaling upon good cheer and agreeable drink, till we be- came as merry as so many Greeks. Dennis and Dutton, a little before the close of day, went out with a few trinkets to dispose of them for cash and such necessaries as our present inclination demand- ed. In transacting this business they took it into their heads, that, as the goods had been obtain- ed at a cheap store, they might afford to sell cheap too, especially for cash in hand. In this, however, they overshot themselves, for their cus- tomers, supposing they sold at too low a rate to come by the things honestly, seized and detained both them and their lading. A magistrate and other officers being called in, the culprits were so hardly handled, and besieged withal to acknowledge how they came by the articles, that Dutton (the privilege of admission as King’s evidence being promised him) at last confessed all, informing, more particularly, of the commodities secreted at his own house. Dennis too, was so closely pressed that he confessed every fact, and betrayed what he knew respecting his young proficient, Henry Tufts. When those ministers of justice (or rather ven- geance) had gathered the necessary information, they speedily set out for Dutton’s abode, in quest of me and the other articles. Their arrival was exces- sively early in the morning, so that I, who happened to be quietly in bed with my friend Dutton’s wife, dreaming, I protest, of no harm, till I heard them thundering at the door, had scarce time to retreat from the arms of my playmate, ere they entered the room and made me prisoner. Seeing but one D

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bed in the cottage, they demanded where I had lodged the night preceding. I replied ” on the floor.” They charged me with fallacy, intimating, that from appearances, I must have bundled with Dutton’s wife, but it being no part of my creed to criminate myself, where the facts could not be fairly proved, I positively denied their assertions. Dutton seemed to trouble his pate but little about the business, but, being requested to produce the residue of the goods, he did it alertly, to the satis- faction of the whole company. This over, they bade Dennis and me prepare for jail, and presently after hurried us to Saco, where having undergone another examination, were were escorted under a strong guard to Falmouth (now Portland) jail, and there confined in irons. It was late in autumn (1770) when it was our mishap to become inmates of this horrid mansion, wherefore, being destitute of fire and bedding, we suffered miserably during imprisonment. We continued in the most comfortless situation for fif- teen days together, without making a single effort for effecting our escape. At length, growing un- easy, we thought it high time to devise some strata- gem for that purpose. We concerted several, but on trial, the means proved inadequate to the un- dertaking. We had instruments of no sort to force a breach through the prison walls, so that in our desponding view, the obstacles to deliverance appeared insuperable. This was the first time I had ever been immur- ed within the walls of a prison, consequently I sus- tained my sufferings with less patience and forti- tude than did Dennis. My handcuffs I thought

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intolerable, and bitterly regretted the part I had taken (thus unwarily) in breaking Pickard’s store. But why do I mention the poignancy of my sensa- tions at this season ? How often, when under the pressure of affliction, have I repented of my crimes, and of my follies, yet have plunged precipitately into the like or greater miseries again ? So incon- sistent, so mutable a being is man ! ! !–We re- mained awhile longer in the same gloomy situation, when Dennis, who was remarkably fertile in ex- pedients, suggested, that if we could prevail with Mr. Modley, the prison keeper, to allow us a little fir, he did not scruple but we might burn a passage through the side of the jail, and so make our es- cape. had we been provided with implements of any kind, fire, undoubtedly had been our dernier resort, but destitute, as we were, of every requisite, we knew of nought else, of which to avail our- selves, so resolved, at all hazards, to try the event of that, if so lucky as to obtain the article. Accordingly, the next day, we represented to the jailor how much we had suffered already from the severity of the cold, and from nakedness, beseech- ing him, withal, to allow us a little fuel, to warm wour benumbed limbs in this inclement season. The keeper was a benevolent man and truly pitied, I believe, our sufferings, wherefore, he granted our request, but had the precaution, to extinguish the fire with a bucket of water, every evening, lest we might compass some mischief. Yet we soon found a remedy for this evil, for having a large piece of a broken earthen milk pan, we contrived to place it crosswise in the funnel of the chimney, as far above the mantle piece, as we could well reach. In this

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vessel, one certain evening, we deposited a small brand of fire, a few minutes previous to the custom- ary return of the jailor. Presently, coming in, he quenched the embers as usual, but, to our satisfac- tion had no suspicion of our plan. On his leaving us, we reclaimed the hidden fire, and were careful not to lose it for lack of feeding. With some anxiety we watched the passing hours, till about eleven o’clock at night, when thinking it high time for all to be found asleep, we set fire to the broadside of the jail, a few feet above the floor- ing, intending to burn a hole through sufficiently large for our exit. The timbers, which composed the sides of the prison, were fourteen inches in thickness, being plaved hard by one another, and sheathed on the inside with two inch thick oak plank, the outside was boarded and clapboarded. We at- tended the fire unremittingly by the space of two hours, and burnt away the wood with an expedi- tion that scarce seemed tedious to our eager wishes. By this time we had made an opening quite through the wall, as large in circumference, as the head of our gallon keg. ” Courage, (said Dennis, whose eyes, I perceived, were nearly closed with smoke,) courage, my good lad, the game goes well ; if we manage the fire rightly, there’ll be no kind of dan- ger.” I thought so too, and, upon the whole, we both grew pretty confident of the success, but present- ly a provoking accident occurred, which disconcert- ed the whole scheme ; overturned our fond hopes, and rendered escape, in this way impracticable. The new disaster was this. The fire had been creeping, though very gradually, through the in- terstices of the timbers, from the time of kindling

HENRY TUFTS. (41)

it, yet we had made shift to controul [sic] it by the help of a pail of water. But by the time we had burnt through as above, our water was all expended, the fire then encreased with surprising rapidity, and began blazing, inside and out, with much briskness. So that our room was immersed in such thick vol- umes of smoke, as to admit the fetching of scarce a single breath. One pailful of water more would have done the thing completely, as, by means of that, the flames had been checked long enough for all purposes. But the room being thus filled with smoke and fire ; water all spent ; the flames spreading, and our design impracticable further, we were constrained, at last, to shout for help. Our loud vociferations aroused, anon, the whole family, which drawing near, found us, poor devils, on the very point of suffocation. The whole posse were collected in a few minutes, who united their efforts to conquer the unruly element, which raged by this time, with ungovernable fury. Full three hours were expended in this disagreeable service, though water, (not to mention crow bars and axes) was used in abundance. At last, however, they succeeded in arresting the progress of the fire, but the jail was nearly ruined, for the breach in the wall was sufficient for the admission of a team of oxen. I gazed on the fruits of our labour with some admiration, and wished my hands at liberty, that I might have escaped ; but my sighs were in vain. All this while we had been treated with civility by the bystanders, except that I received one stroke of the hand from the prison keeper at his first en- trance. D 2

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The jail was now adjudged unsuitable for the retention of prisoners, so it was thought advisable to send us packing to Old York jail ; but thanks- giving being near, we were kept under guard, in Mr. Modley’s family, till that solemnity should be over. Here gratitude obliges me to give testimonial to the humanity and benevolence of that gentleman, to whom is due my peculiar thanks, for using us, while left in his family, as well as I have snce fared in any part of America.

[no illustration]

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CHAP. V.

Fresh troubles flow, in one unceasing course, From various follies, as their fruitful source.

---

THE day after thanksgiving we were confided to the charge of Sheriff Bagley, and oth- ers, in order to be conveyed to Old York jail. When we had gotten as far as Wells, we all entered a tavern, to rest a little and procure a small portion of refreshment. Our keepers leaving Dennis and me in irons, adjourned, for better accommodation, into another apartment, but, while they were re- galing and feasting to a merry degree, my partner Dennis, broke his handcuffs in the crotch of the chimney crane, and betook himself to immediate flight. A few minutes after, our conductors com- ing out, demanded whither Dennis had withdrawn. ” If he be the prudent man I think him, (said I) he’s by this time, three miles ahead at the least.” ” At the least, then, (replied they) we’ll take care of you.” Saying this they remounted their steeds, and proceeded with me to Mr. Row’s, the jail- keeper of Old York, where, instantly, I was thrust into confinement. The damages which Dennis and I had done Falmouth Jail, had been much ru- moured about the country, so that now I was strongly handcuffed, and cast into the securest ward. Here I thought it best to remain inactive, as my motions were very scrupulously observed. I continued in this prison nineteen days, when Pickard, the prosecutor, arrived from Ipswich, and

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made me a visit. He said if I would agree to ship with his brother at Newburyport, and sail on a three month’s voyage to the West Indies, (he, Mr. Pickard, receiving my wages) that on such condi- tion, he would have me liberated, and, as a further encouragement to behave well, would furnish me with two quintals of fish for a sea venture. To all this I agreed, so Mr. Pichard [sic] went and procured my enlargement, by paying, as I supposed, a small matter of cost. We then set out immediately for Ipswich, myself on foot, having no better mode of conveyance. When we had reached Newbury Old Town, he said he had a mind to call in at the next tavern, inviting me to do the like, but I de- clined. So he told me, if I would behave well, I might continue my journey, and he would over- take me shortly. I said yes, and set forward, but travelling about three quarters of a mile, without company, was so unfortunate as to miss my way, and never came across my deliverer afterwards. Once more, then, I enjoyed the sweets of liber- ty, ever grateful to the human breast, and having smarted so severely in my late imprisonment, I was minded to avoid the like entanglements for the future. The difficulties I had met with gave me a disrelish to adventures of a kindred species, so I concluded even to return home, and visit again my family and friends. This I did without loss of time, but my wife was surprised at my sudden ap- pearance, for hearing of the imprisonment, she had cherished but little hopes of my so speedy acquittal. I soon perceived that the people of Lee were in full possession of my late misadventures, and that the same had been a subject of animadversion

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through the neighborhood. My enemies had now a colourable pretext to treat me with indignity, and of this they were not dilatory in taking advantage. But my spirit naturally high set, ill brooked such humiliating usage. The people I disliked, but their invectives I abominated ; for my conduct though injudicious, had not extinguished all sense of injury, nor annihilated my feelings as a man. The people of Lee, for whatever reasons, were much embittered against me, so that none cared to employ me ; but to live without means seemed altogether impossible, wherefore I resolved to aban- don the place, and that as soon as family affairs would permit. My wife was greatly opposed to my leaving her in this manner, insomuch that I hesitated upon the subject, but my departure was accelerated by an accident here worth noticing. A certain party of men belonging to Lee and Newmarket, who had been at Capt. Hill’s training, passed necessarily near my house, on their return home, which was late in the evening. Among them was one Elisha Thomas, a desperate fellow, but who hath since found his deserts. This man was the ringleader, it seems, of the whole mob. When they had gotten as far as my humble cot, they made a stand in the road, and Thomas com- municated to the others his design of pulling my house in pieces before leaving the ground. As they were all highly stimulated, I believe, with drink, they applauded the ingenious proposal, and approached in a body. Thomas being foremost, seized the end of a board, jutting a little beyond the residue, and pulled it off the house. By this time I thought it stood me in hand to make some

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exertion in defence of self and property. Having a good musket, charged with two balls, I snatched it in haste, and looking out, demanded the occasion of such treatment. Thomas, with terrible oaths, repeated his determination of tearing my house in pieces before quitting the spot. I bid him touch another stick at his peril, for I was an armed man, and would drop him certainly, if he did. He damn’d me for a rascal, and told me to fire if I dared, at the same instant, he again rushed forward, and catching hold of another board attempted to wrest it off. By this time I had become so exas- perated, that for a few moments I was bereaved of reasoning powers ; taking, therefore, good aim at my adversary’s breast, I pulled trigger, but my gun, which I thought certain, only snapt in the pan. I made a second, and a third attempt, but my gun still refused fire. I was preparing to make the shot more certain, when Thomas, finding my resolution as desperate as his own, thought it most prudent to desist, and to march off with his whole party. The next day not knowing the reason of my gun’s failure, I tried her at a mark, and she gave fire without the smallest difficulty. This furious attempt upon me, in my own castle, was a convincing proof, that I could no longer abide at home in peace or safety. For that reason I took leave of my family, and quitted Lee, not knowing whither to shape my course. Fortune directed my steps to Number four, where I engaged in the service of John Spooner, and drove his sleigh for a month, but growing weary of this irksome employment, I left it, and proceeded to Claramont, in Hampshire, (it being now early in the

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spring of 1771) Here I went to work with one Enoch Judd in clearing land. He was a man, as as the saying is, well to pass in the world, so I con- tinued at his house (as will be seen) a considerable time, and shewed so much attention to business, that Judd was extremely well pleased with my assi- duity. One day as we were at work in his field, he enquired whether I was a married man, my answer was in the negative, he asked the cause of my celi- bacy,–I intimated the fault was not mine. He said he had a couple of likely girls, and for that I was a good industrious lad, I might have my choice of them. I thanked him cordially for his obliging offer, but here our conversation closed on that topic. However his alluring overture wrought so powerfully upon my imagination, that, maugre pre- sent conjugal connections, I had no power to resist the pleasing idea, that prompted me to make court- ship to Sally, the elder of the two girls above men- tioned. Indeed for that pretty miss I had conceiv- ed no small liking, so, without delay I paid her my addresses, and had the happiness to find myself the object of her regard. Our courtship was briskly continued nearly a month, by which time we were so mutually delight- ed which [sic] each other, that we agreed to marry with- out long procrastination. Preparations were now made for the ceremony with all diligence it being my wish to bring matters to a crisis as quickly as possible. My dulcinea had been long meditating upon a journey to Waterbury, in Connecticut, one hundred and sixty miles distant, where her brother in law resided, the same being also the place of her own

(48)NARRATIVE OF

nativity, and now was the time prefixed for her de- parture. Her father had a mind I should escort her thither, in which his desire I heartily acquies- ced. We sat out well mounted, and arrived safely at Waterbury, without the least perverse occurrence. We repaired immediately to Mr. Brewster’s her brother in law’s house, who was a tailor by trade. I rode up to the door and knocked. He came out and asked if that man (meaning me) was her hus- band, she answered, ” I dont [sic] know as you will own him ;” he said “walk in brother.” We went in, and were treated with every mark of kindness and civility. Here we tarried about three weeks, and having made every necessary preparation for our intended marriage before leaving Claramont, we now sent for a priest, and by him were joined in the bands of wedlock. A few days subsequent to this, we bade adieu to our good friends in those parts, and returned to Claramont. As we approached her father’s dwelling, the old lady, her mother, came out to meet and salute us, when surveying us with much complaisancy, she said “walk in chil- dren,” for she had heard of our union while absent. We were now very graciously received by both father and mother, as well as by the residue of the family. They were all greatly rejoiced at our safe return, and must needs send for Mr. Faucett, the min- ister, to pay us a visit on the occasion. He honour- ed the invitation, and the first words he spake to my wife were. Sally, Sally ! I think you have used me very ill, in being married while abroad–I have married all the rest of the family in the church way, and you ought to have been married in the church way too. Upon this, I gave her privately four dollars, de-

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siring her to present them to the priest, and make also, some apology for our conduct. This duty she performed very gracefully, telling him as things stood, it was not in her power to prevent what had happened, but hoped he would esteem it the same as though she had been married by himself. He re- plied that it was the same, and wished we might live together in amity and the enjoyment of prospe- rity to the end of life. He then uttered the fol- lowing sentence, which I thought singular. You seem to be man and wife, but if you are not so, I pro- nounce you man and wife. On this we arose and made obeisance, to signify our acknowledgment of the marriage. We spent the remainder of the evening in good humour, conversing upon various subjects, till a lage hour, when Mr. Faucett return- ed home. With my new spouse, (if I may so term her) for whose person I felt a most tender regard, I should now have lived very happily, had it not been for the continual inquietude that harassed my mind, lest my real condition in life should some how be- come known. I dreaded lest my wife or her friends might obtain information of my former marriage, and of the many disgraces I had met with in the world. Reflections of this sort had, from my first acquaintance with Sally, incessantly vexed and tormented my imagination, stretching it upon the rack of unpleasing expectancy. The con- sequences proved that my apprehensions were but too well founded, for I had consorted with my new spouse little more than a honeymoon, when that which I so much dreaded, came really to pass. A certain man, named Abner Clough, who lived E

50. NARRATIVE OF

near the place of my nativity, and was well know- ing to most of my concerns, happened, at this junc- ture, to pass through Claremont, when hearing of my new marriage with Sally, he informed the peo- ple that I had a prior wife and family in Lee, and was besides a very bad fellow, having behaved so ill at home, that I was forced to run away to pre- vent punishment. This story was soon carried to Sally and her friends, and gave them a serious alarm. They sent directly to Clough, and received a full confirmation of the ungrateful intelligence, together with the particulars of my breaking Pickard’s store, and sub- sequent imprisonment. By this black account they became axasperated [sic] to the last degree, and loaded me with reproaches of every kind. To those re- proaches I could indeed make but little reply. Not content with venting their spleen in this man- ner, they threatened me with exemplary punish- ment, for treating thus my best benefactors. Such being the state of things, I thought it wisdom to decamp seasonably, so I left Claremont that very evening, without so much as bidding adieu to Sally, or any of her friends. After a circuitous ramble I even ventured to re- visit Lee, where my first wife yet held possession of the castle. She had heard of my extraordinary marriage, during my late elopement, and therefore gave me an uncouth welcome ; however I cohabited with the dame, as formerly. Soon after this I hired out, as a day labourer, wih one deacon Tash, of Newmarket. On a cer- tain day, while mowing grass in his meadow, I acci- dentally came across a huge wasp’s nest. Having a

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mind for a little sport with the honest deacon, who was indeed quite a worthy and zealous man, I slily cut the twig, from which the nest was suspended, and, in a gentle manner, conveyed it to a cock of hay, where I concealed it for the present. All this I did without the smallest disturbance to the meddle- some race. In the afternoon the Deacon and I went out with the team to haul hay. He mounted the wheels, as usual, to make the load, leaving me behind to manage the team. At length I drove in course to the bunch containing the waspy tribe, when pushing my fork through the nest, so as to break it pretty well to pieces, I pitched it up, hay and all, to the unsuspecting deacon, who was stript entirely to the shirt. An armed host of those mis- chievous insects now seized him conjunctly, and stung him so intolerably, that not being able to keep his post he pitched head foremost to the ground. Being still surrounded with his trouble- some assailants, he scrabbled up with what agility he could muster, in order to retreat to a more re- spectful distance, but scampering away with more speed than forecast, he again lost his center of grav- ity and had the fresh misfortune to plunge precipi- tately into the main ditch. This had lately been thrown up to drain the meadow, and was, moreover, full of water, so that the old gentleman lay flound- ering in both water and mud, ’till I seeing the catastrophe, and fearing he might be suffocated, ran up to his assistance. We had a fearful time of it, to be sure, for in trying to clear him, I was pro- digiously stung by the wasps myself. The deacon was in a sweet pickle, but no sooner did he recover breath for articulation, than he accused me of doing

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him this piece of roguery intentionally, and desired I would instantly quit his service. I asserted my innocence with much gravity, protesting I was ex- tremely sorry for his misfortune ; so that on further reflection, the good natured man imputed the whole to mere accident, and expressed his thankfulness at escaping with no greater injury.

[large bird]

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CHAP. VI.

More grievous, than the ills of yore, Are such as yet remain in store. —–

About this period I met with one James Smith, a Dutchman, whose disposition, I perceived, was analogous to my own. As kindred souls naturally agree, we became intimately associ- ated. I took some pains to cultivate an acquaint- ance with this convenient blade, and do acquire his confidence ; in both of which I succeeded to my wishes. At length we entered into partnership, and agreed to stick close by each other, for the present ; but, being both in want of the means of support, we were compelled to have recurrence to furtive pursuits, my usual resort on pressing occa- sions. Hens, turkies, sheep and the like, became the victims of our rapacious industry, and supplied our wretched larder with just sufficient to enable us to continue the unlawful pursuit. Farmers had to regret the loss of their fleecy tribes, and the wives of the poultry, which were immolated daily on the altars of our hungry deities. But the solicitude of the sufferers was unavailing, for Smith and I concealed our plunder so artificially, as to baffle all attempts at detection, though we had frequent visits from such as suspected us to be the demons, who had thus spirited away their substance. But here for brevity’s sake, I shall pass over more trivial incidents and observe generally, that E2

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an endeavour to particularize the numerous tricks and villainies which first and last I have practiced would be a vain and useless task : as well might the husbandman recount his hours of painful toil, or the prodigal, of his dissipation ; a mere catalogue of which must swell a volume. My partner and I not having accumulated prop- erty by such spoliations ; but in lieu thereof becom- ing destitute of apparel and other conveniencies, we saw the necessity of striking some more impor- tant blow than any we had hitherto attempted. And the way to affect this readily presented ; for Smith was familiar with a man belonging to the Newfields (in Newmarket) who had hinted that a certain store, the property of Smith Gilman and Levi Chapman, might be opened without difficulty. Moreover (Smith my informant) was well assured, that the same man would lend some assistance, though he bore at the time, the character of a gen- tleman. In expectation of this, we set out for the Newfields, and repaired to the house of Smith’s friend and confident. We communicated the se- cret of our embassy and requested his advice. The project we found was far from displeasing our entertainer, for with much volubilty [sic], he went on to digest the proper mode of procedure, advising us to enter the store through a particular casement, which he represented as slightly fastened. We fol- lowed punctually his prescriptions, and our efforts were crowned with brilliant success ; we forced a passage through the window, as directed, and took out of the store, cloths to the value of about one hundred dollars, two guineas in money, sundry pieces of silver, with a large quantity of other articles.

HENRY TUFTS. (55)

The goods we carried directly to the gentleman’s house, and presented him with a pail of sugar, sev- eral rolls of ribband, and a piece of gauze, as a recompence for his trouble, and then took our leave. As we intended to steer southwestwardly with the booty, we took, under cover of darkness, the highway leading through Stratham. I was mounted on a horse I had picked up a day or two before, but Smith being destitute of such conveni- ency, we contrived to supply the defect, by stealing a horse from one Barker, as we passed through the town last mentioned. Being now whole footed, we pushed on, full tilt, till we gained Haverhill ferry. It was about dawn of day, when we arrived at this place ; so that, nobody being stirring, we took a boat, and crossed over without observation ; and then drove on, with our haf fanished steeds, to Pepperell, in Massachusetts ; ourselves and horses, by the time wi had recovered this station, being sufficiently fatigued with a forced march of forty- five miles. Here we made a final halt for the day, and ex- posed our goods to sale, the same afternoon. On the edge of the evening, Gilman and Chapman en- tered Pepperell in pursuit of the thieves, and, if possible, to recover their property. Their coming was so abrupt that they surprised us effectually, be- fore we had opportunity to secrete the goods, or make the smallest arrangement for a personal es- cape. Thus were we suddenly arrested, and taken into custody ; when to our no small surprise, we found that the man who had contrived so con- veniently, the method of breaking the store, and who had received also his quota of the stolen com-

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modities, had turned informant against us, and had revealed the probable route we had taken. De- ceitful and treacherous as this person proved, I am unwilling to reveal his name to the public, espe- cially as he since removed to a distance from Newmarket, and now supports the character of a better man. The next day Smith and I were conveyed back as far as Exeter. He was shut up in the common prison ; but my doom was close confinement in the dungeon. As they expected I should try hard to give them the slip, every precaution was taken for its preven- tion. My feet were shackled together with a large iron bolt, of two feet in length, which, at either end, was fastened with rivets to the irons surrounding my ancles ; a strong chain, of two feet only, proceeded from the bolt to the floor, and was there secured with a huge iron staple. These iron appendages kept my feet at just such a distance asunder, and rendered my stepping one foot before the other upon the floor, altogether impossible. It was with extreme difficulty I could reach the place of office, or stretch my limbs on a misterable couch of straw. In such deplorable con- dition I continued ninety days and nights, or rath- er one continued night of so long duration. Judge then what were my sufferings, and what my sensa- tions must have been at that distressing time ; what trouble, anxiety, and gloomy apprehensions must have taken possession of my mind, and absorb- ed every comfort of life ; sequestered from all intercourse with the rest of mankind, and accom- panied only with pain, shame, remorse and dark-

HENRY TUFTS. (57)

ness, in a mansion of darkness, with hardly sufficient food and clothing to prevent me from perishing ; and bearing, for so long an interval, what God only knows, or the heart of man, by experience alone, is able to conceive ; think, I say what must have been my sufferings, both of body and mind, at that dismal period. The dampness of the dungeon, the offensive effluvia of the prison vault, my want of necessary food and clothing, and the troublesome vermin, which are generally the undisturbed inhabitants of a jail, altogether, so much dispirited and afflicted me, that I could obtain none, or very little rest, night or day. The consequence was, my health visibly declined, and my strength daily decayed. At length, after a lapse of ninety tedious days, which seemed an entire age, the superior court sat at Exeter, and I, with my accomplice, Smith, were brought forth for trial. The proof of the felony being full against us, we were adjudged guilty. Our sentece was to receive thirty five lashes on the naked back, of which twenty were assigned to my peculiar share. The whole were to be inflict- ed on the Monday then next ensuing ; receiving which, we were to be imprisoned thirty one days longer, and to pay, moreover, a certain sum in damages with costs ; but in default of payment to be sold to make good the same. After hearing sentence, Smith was recommitted to the common prison, but I was immured in the dungeon and loaded with chains as before. On the Monday succeeding, we were carried out to receive the destined punishment. The stripes were laid on by one of the prisoners of the yard,

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Jacob Hardy ; who, thinking to gratify the specta- tors, laboured hard in fulfilling his odd vocation, administering the strange medicine, with so lavish a hand, that one had been led to imagine he in- tended this potion should be our last. But had he known the minds of the people, he would have abated (I presume) somewhat of his exertions ; for being afterwards blamed by several of the by- standers, for exceeding the bounds of his duty, and his conscience (I suppose) smiting him severely, for punishing, so greedily, two of his unfortunate fel- low prisoners, and that without offence received at their hands, he offered to treat us with a dol- lar’s worth of punch ; and doubless would have done us that favour, had he not been discouraged by the keeper of the prison ; who at the same time, observed with his usual ingenuity and hu- manity, that to be punished was nothing, when once accustomed to the exercise. After the receipt of the stripes, we were recon- veyed to prison, there to abide yet thirty one days, in pursuance of the order of court, and then to be sold for damages, if unable to pay them. Being now placed in a more eligible apartment, and exonerated of the ponderous iron trappings I had so lately borne, of course I could take more comfort here, than in the horrid dungeon I had just abandoned ; this was a propitious event, af- fording no small consolation of mind, as well as ease of person. In a few days my friends supplied me with in- struments, by which, with much toil, I drilled a hole through the wall, sufficiently capacious, when stript to the skin, for my corporal exit. The pre-

HENRY TUFTS. 59

cess of cutting I had concealed so effectually, by filling up the cavities with bread, whenever I ceas- ed work, that none mistrusted my undertaking ; and before the thirty one days were fully elapsed, I was prepared to evacuate that most odious of tene- ments, the jail at Exeter. During all this while, no chapman (I intend no pun) appeared for the purchase of either Smith or me, though exposed to sale every day. But being thus ready to leave my detested abode, I determined to improve the first convenient season for that purpose. This occurred the ensuing evening. Yet, previous to departure, I had a fancy for a small matter of mer- riment with my fellow prisoner, Smith, who was in the cell overhead. With a view to this, I ac- quainted him with my intention of quitting the premises that very night. He was importunate to learn by what means. I replied “By the help of the devil, who is now at my beck and call, when- ever I need his assistance.” Smith had heard it reported, that I was a wizard, and, being always the dupe of his own credulity, had now the simpli- city to credit my ridiculous tale. Anxious of de- liverance from his tedious confinement, he begged me to extricate him in a similar way. “Yes, said I provided you will follow, with exactitude, my directions.” He assented : so waiting till I pre- sumed the people of the house were sound asleep, I called again to Smith, in a low key, and told him it was time to be doing, and that the first thing necessary was to strip off all our clothes, turn them inside out, and fling them out at the window. This injuntion Smith executed with alertness, and so did I (bating the inversion of apparel) from more

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substantial motives. Being both stript to the buff, I told him I should break bulk first, ten minutes after which he might follow, by repeating the fol- lowing distich, to wit : “Come in old man, with that black ram, And carry me out, as fast as you can.” After giving my fellow sufferer this lesson, I crept out at the partition fracture, and slipping on my clothes, stepped into the yard, just under Smith’s window, who was listening at the grates, with no small solicitude, to learn the issue of my experiment. I informed him of my success, bade him repeat his creed, as instructed, which would certainly procure his enlargement also. He prom- ised a punctilious performance, while I, without more colloquy, gathered up Smith’s apparel, which I expected in all likelihood to need, and with it, sped away precipitately, leaving the poor wight to mumble over his ceremony at leisure. Breathing once more the free air of liberty, I looked back with horror upon the severe trials I had lately passed through, and found sufficient cause to congratulate myself on the present happy deliverance. Wishing to revisit Lee, I sat off for the place, but such was my enfeebled condition, in consequence of so long and rigid a confinement, that it was not till after great difficulty that I ar- rived thither. My wife was both surprised and concerned at seeing me, so nearly was I emaciated to a skeleton ; yet she might have expected this, as a consequence of my starving so long amid the im- purities of a dungeon. Notwithstanding which, the natural firmness of my constitution soon re- placed both health and spirits in pristine vigor[.]

HENRY TUFTS (61)

Had I not been a confirmed slave to vice, and dupe to folly, I should now have attempted an amend- ment of my ways. The call to do this had been loud and frequently repeated, but abject poverty treading snugly on the heels of my late misfor- tunes, I discarded, of course, both delicacy and pro- bity in the choice of my conduct. In other words, I resumed with more daring activity than ever, the illicit game of pilfering whatever fortune presented or ingenuity could supply. Acquisitions of this sort constituted the major part of my subsistence at this period, for I had seldom respect to persons ; but roamed far and near in quest of prey. As the vortex of my rapacity enlarged its circumference, in like ratio did the number of my enemies in- crease ; they now reprobated my unjust practices with greater indignation, and wished nothing more sincerely, than an exemplary punishment. Their zeal, doubtless, was laudable ; yet I may fairly aver, if in the least it can palliate my offences, that many times, I saw no other method than theft, however horrid the name, by which to obtain a possible livelihood, all being diffident of trusting a man, who was ostensibly unworthy of confidence. I might mention too, were it necessary, that I always spent my money freely when I had it, reliev- ed of the indigent and the distressed, with the greatest alacrity, and indiid, to the utmost of my power, when others, in better circumstances, have refused. It appeared, on the whole, that I received no less satisfaction in the disbursement of property, than in its acquirement, and that I took such peculiar pains to ravish with one hand, merely for the pleas- F

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ure of refunding with the other. But I insist not one these particulars. About this time, chancing to cal into the shop of Mr. Daniel Chapman, in Newmarket, I received from him a smart reprimand on the scor of steal- ing. He also, in facetious mood, charged me nev- er to embezzle his property, and said, as an induce- ment to honesty, he would tap my shoes. This piece of service he performed ; while I from mo- tives of gratitude, promised never to meddle with his substance, and was ever as good as my word ; for, in fact, I was so handsomely treated, in all re- spects, by this gentleman, that I never harboured a thought of doing him the least injury, although opportunities were frequent., My name, ere this, had sounded far and near, and divers people, who had been in the habit of insulting we [sic] with impunity, began now to be more fearful for their own interest, and more cautious of giving me needless offence, than formerly, as think- ing me very revengeful, and capable of attempt- ing any thing, but impossibilities ; for my own part I was extremely well pleased with their ap- prehensions., It is an old observation that, ” there are more thieves than one ;” and really, at the period I speak of, as well as before and after, I was charged with many thefts and misdemeanors, of which I can plead entire innocency ; as an instance of this the following may be adduced. While I was last confined in the dungeon at Ex- eter, a certain countryman entered the town, in quest of Henry Tufts, who, he said, had stolen a yoke of his oxen. A gentleman present asked if

HENRY TUFTS. 63

he did not mistake, as to the peson of the thief. THe relator said, ” No ; for he was very confident that Tufts was the rogue, since he knew him well, and had, by immediate pursuit, overtaken him with the oxen, and snapped a pistol at his breast ; yet the sturdy knave escaped with the booty, after all.” Upon this the gentleman told his informer, that Tufts was then fast chained in the dungeon, and had been thus for more than a month, so that it was impossible he should be the thief. He then dismissed the accuser with this salutary admonition. ” To be careful in future how he brought an accusation against any person till well assured of his identity.” About this time I came across a man, who was in possession of a set of pictures, called shows, which were viewed by looking through magnifying glasses, artificially disposed for that purpose. I was so much enamoured with the sight of those rarities, that I purchased them of the showman, at the price of thirty dollars, although, to make out the sum, it swept away nearly the whole property of which I was master. I was greatly fascinated with my new acquirement, and the principal business I followed for one winter, was carrying about those insignifi- cant trifles, which I exhibited with great ostenta- tion, at about a groat a sight. But my pecuniary emoluments being in no wise answerable to my expectations, I began to regret not only the con- sumption of time, but the original purchase also. In consonance with my feelings and situation, at that season, are the following stanzas.

Now to and fro, thro’ snow, lo, how I go, On hope some ore to cope for jocund show, Tho’ soon (so sorry for old folly grown) I would, whole tote for good, to demon thrown.

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Or thus ;

Away at dawn, at dark afar and near, At back a pack (a bauble rare and dear) I wayward rake and take, each weary day. Great pains, which gain a lazy lad may pay At saddle bad, made sad, and cast at last, At jailor L-dd (fay glad) I had all cast.

Did the foregoing rhymes require explanation or glossary, I’d furnish the desideratum, but as whoever can supply the elipsis may comprehend the text, and whoso cannot, may pass it over, I shall close this article by observing, that after the consumption of much time on the aforesaid peurile toys, to the no small detriment of myself and others; the people in general, took it into their heads to rally me so immoderately, on the score of my in- dolence and vagrancy, that, at last, from conviction of its inutility, I grew quite ashamed of my trifling employment, and so gladly parted wit hthe shows for ten dollars, making a losing go, every way, by this execrable business. Some time posterior to all this, being on a visit at Ephraim Clough’s in Lee, the company present started a novel diversion ; namely, each in turn essayed to force open, with a strong and quick jerk, a sharp, half bent jack-knife, without touching the blade. Some could do this, others not, I tried the experiment amongst the rest, but, unhappily for me, had the ill luck to strike the knife into the thick of my thigh, where it stopped only by lodging against the bone. The wound was three inches deep, and came within an ace of costing my life. I con- tinued bleeding so long, that my blood lost its usual colour, and I had no strength remaining. I lay ill,

HENRY TUFTS. 65

with this dreadful wound, three months, before re- covery of power to walk abroad, and even then was so weak and pale, that I more resembled a ghost, than a living person. In a word, every one suppo- sed the malady would terminate in a consumption and so end my days. Judging from my own feel- ings, I thought it time to set my house in order, and make some kind of preparations for departure hence. At this discouraging crisis I happened to meet with Capt. Josiah Miles, the great Indian hun- ter, who strongly advised my visiting the Indians of Sudbury, Canada, who, he affirmed, would cure me, if the thing were morally possible. Upon due consideration I thought best to close with his advice, if perchance, I might surmount the long and tedious voyage. At present I was too well con- scious of my inability to attempt it, and for that reason, concluded to abide at home a month longer, in which interim to make all needful preparations for the journey.

F 2

66 NARRATIVE OF

CHAP. VII.

I far prefer a savage life To gloomy cares or vexing strife. —-

By the time prefixted I was equipt for departure, and had gathered (in my opinion) such a portion of health and strength, as might enable me to travel a few miles in a day. So bidding adieu to family and friends, I set out on the precarious enterprize, but the most gloomy doubts of success and uncertainty of return, were my constant at- tendants on the way. I proceeded by short and slow marches, travelling sometimes not more than a mile or two in a day. The people, whom I visit- ed on the road, used me, for the most part, with much kindness, otherwise, of necessity, I must have abandoned the expedition. I shall not here attempt to decypher the multi- plicity of difficulties and discouragements, arising from pain, sickness, want, and sometimes almost despair, which I encountered during this long and tedious pilgrimage. To render an adequate de- scription of my sufferings and trials would far ex- ceed my feeble ability ; suffice it to say, that, after many and repeated efforts, I reached the Pigwacket country, where I suspended my travels a few days, to recruit, in some degree, my exhausted strength and spirits. Obtaining by this delay some renova- tion of vigour, I proceeded to collect a few necessi- ties, and then prosecuted the tardy way, till I had past the English settlements. But now was fre-

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quently put to my trumps to trace the most direct course toward the Indian encampments, which, as yet, were thirty miles distant. And to complete my distresses, I was necessitated to pass several un- comfortable nights in the howling wilderness, where the frequent yellings of the wild beasts inspired ideas of horror and amazement. However, after surmounting many obstacles, I had the good for- tune to procure the company of some English hunt- ers a small part of the remaining way. Thus I pursued my course, ’till certain footsteps, and other vestiges, indicated my proximity to the frontiers of the Indian settlements. No long time supervened, ere ascending a great hill, I had a view, for the first time, of their camps and wigwams in Sudbury, Canada. But the uncouth appearance of those wretched habitations inspired my imagination with a kind of awe, not knowing what sort of re- ception I should find among the rude and uncul- tivated sons of nature, their inmates. Feeling much fatigued with travelling in my languid condition, I seated myself on the brow of this eminence, to rest my weary limbs awhile, and con- template upon the present posture of affairs. Here I remained devoted to serious reflection and thought- ful melancholy, brooding over past and dreading fu- ture ills. How long I might have remained in this pensive attitude, had not the solar orb, by hastening to the western mountains, dispelled my reverie, and pointed out the necessity of removal, I shall not pretend to say. Notincing at last, however, that the close of day was at hand, and dreading to abide another solitary night in this dreary desert, I arose hastily. When feeling refreshed with some food I had

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just eaten, and with respiring the salubrious zephyrs, that played gently through the tall waving trees, I prepared with alacrity to surmount the remaining way. And now descending the declivity of the mountain, I traversed the intervening distance with all the celerity my feeble limbs could afford. For- tune favoured my expectations, for, just as night enwrapped the earth in her mantle of obscurity, I arrived at the nearest huts in view. It was now the beginning of June, 1772, the trees had assumed a rich foliage, nature wore a most plea- sing aspect, and the voice of the nightingale was me- lodious through the groves. The mildness of the present evening had been joyous to me in health, but now I was unable to relish its comforts. The whole scene was in contrast with my feelings, since weakness and lassitude had produced a general apa- thy with regard to every surrounding object. On my arrival near the entrance of one of the wigwams, I was descried by several of the savages, who came out, with uncouth signs and gestures, to welcome me into their homely cabins. Being quite unacquainted, at that time, with the Indian lan- guage, I was unable to comprehend a single parti- cle of their discourse ; but they presently brought several others, who could speak English, though brok- en yet intelligible. With these people I conversed several hours, informing them of my indisposition, and how I had taken a long and tiresome journey, on purpose to reside among them. That my mo- tives were founded on the hopes I had entertained of regaining my health through their assistance. They expressed great willingness to receive me, provided their leading men, into whose presence I

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was to be introduced the next day, should have no objections. During the first night I was treated in a friendly and obliging manner, but the supper, which was, prepared principally, as I imaginied, for me, I by no means relished ; though out of complaisance to my host, I endeavoured to partake of it freely, knowing that they would of course, be offended at the omis- sion. The repast consisted of smoaked venison only, fried a little in fat, but without salt, bread and every kind of sauce whatever. A considerable time elapsed before I could accommodate my palate to such uninviting fare. The friendly behaviour of the Indians, however, so far dispelled all apprehensions of uncivil usage, which I had entertained so unjust- ly to their prejudice, that I slept the first night with tolerable composure. My bed was composed entire- ly of bear skins, that were spread on the floor for my better accommodation. The next day I was escorted to the chieftan’s wigwam ; this was built in a stile superior to that of the others. It was a structure of some curiosity, being ornamented with many rude draughts and pictures of men, various other animals and imple- ments of war. These devices appeared (as was ob- vious) extremely magnificent in the eyes of this unpolished people. On my approach, their chief, whose name was Swanson, gave me a very cordial reception, and pre- sently ordered his domestics to prepare dinner. Meanwhile we commenced a prolix confabulation, in the course of which I acquainted him with my circumstances, and the design I had formed of re- siding in Canada for a season. He seemed pleased

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with my intentions, and gave me free toleration to abide in his tribe during pleasure. To these in- stances of benignity he superadded another, which was to enjoin Molly Occut, at that time the great Indian doctress, to superintend the recovery of my health. At my departure he gave me a general in- vitation to visit his house whenever I saw fit, or might stand in need of his assistance, and this I as- sured him I should never fail to do. Those formalities over, I felt myself at liberty to shape my conduct, as inclination or convenience might dictate. Recovery of health was my first and earlies concern, so I made direct application to the lady for such medicines as might be suita- ble to my complaints. She was alert in her devoirs, and supplied me for present consumption, with a large variety of roots, herbs, barks and other materials. I did not much like even the looks of them ; for to have contemplated an encounter with the formidable forrage might have staggered the resolution, doubtless, of a much greater hero than myself. However I took the budget with particu- lar directions for the use of each ingredient. My kind doctress visited me daily, bringing new medicinal supplies, but my palate was far from be- ing gratified with some of her doses, in fact they but ill accorded with the gust of an Englishman. Nevertheless having much faith in the skill of my physician, I continued, to swallow with becoming submission, every potion she prescribed. Her means had a timely and beneficial effect, since, from the use of them, I gathered strength so rapidly, that in two months, I could visit about with comfort.

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Returning health inspired my breast with new- born hope, and was a source of lasting consolation. And now curiosity prompting me to visit the Indian settlements in this department, in order to become more intimately acquainted with their customs and modes of life, I followed the daily practice of trav- eling from place to place, until I had visited the whole encampment, and from the best conjectures I could frame on the subject, found there might be about three hundred inhabitants in this quarter. The entire tribe, of which these people made a part, was in number about seven hundred of both sexes, and extended their settlements, in a scattering, desul- tory manner, from lake Memphremagog to lake Umbagog, covering an extent of some eighty miles. Finding travelling to agree with my feelings I con- tinued the salutary exercise, every day, for several months, until my health was restored in as full and perfect a manner, as I had possessed that blessing at any former period. This happy restoration to pris- tine ability I attributed principally to the good offi- ces of my doctoress, who during my convalescence, was indefatigable in her care and attention. Her character was, indeed, that of a kind and charitable woman. As a specimen of this I will relate an in- cident, that took place a short time subsequent to my arrival. There was a certain poor, white man, who lived in Pigwacket, and had a large family, which by reason of his indigence and the dearth of provisions, he was quite unable to supply with food. So great was the scarcity at that time, of bread-corn, the staff of life, that no pay would procure it except money. Of this he was wholly destitute, so that

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himself and family were reduced to great straits, and literally in danger of starving. This man had used sometimes to visit the Indians for the benefit of hunting, trading, &c. by which means he had contracted some acquaintance with them, and had heard, that Molly Occut always kept on hand a con- siderable quantity of money. As he knew not, in this his extremity, what other means to pursue, he took a journey into the Indian country, and straightway applied to Molly, to obtain a loan of about twenty dollars, while the ensuing winter. She rallied him on the score of his coming to bor- row of the poor Indians, who (she said) were gene- rally despised by the white people. Nevertheless she lent him the money, but charged him to come the next winter and hunt furs to refund her the sum. This he promised, and performed very ex- actly, for the winter following, he came sure enough, and was so lucky, as to collect a sufficient quantity of furs to repay his benefactress, and had remain- ing some overplus for the relief of his own family. BUt to quit digression : I had now been in these northern regions nearly half a year, and the warmth of summer had receded to make way for winter’s unrelenting reign. The severity of the weather had already become intolerable ; yet the savages seem- ed to pay so little regard to the cold piercing blast, that one would have been tempted to consider them as insensible of feeling, as their native oaks and pines. For my own part I was inclined to keep pretty much within doors, wishing to render life as agree- able as possible. My food which was chiefly smok- ed venison, had given me for a while much horror and disgust, but by use and habit it had grown, at

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length, more savoury, insomuch that I now thought it preferable to salted provision. I procured, not- withstanding, from time to time, a small supply of salt, corn, potatoes and other vegetables from one or other of the natives, who were so friendly as to bestow on me, not unfrequently, even what they needed for their own subsistence. They thought me, perhaps, less able than themselves to dispense with such requisites. Since beginning to amend in health under the auspices of madam Molly, I had formed a design of studying the Indian practice of physic, though my intention had hitherto remained a profound secret. Indeed I had paid strict attention to every thing of a medical nature, which had fallen within the sphere of my notice. Frequently was I inquis- itive with Molly Occut, old Plilips, Sabattus and other professed doctors to learn the names and vir- tues of their medicines. In general they were ex- plicit in comminication, still I thought them in possession of secrets, they cared not to reveal. Knowing them to be extravagantly fond of rum, of which I had seen flagrang specimens, it struck my mind, that if I could procure a quantity of that liquor, with which to treat them occasionally, I should doubless obtain their favour more effectual- ly than by any other method. But I had no way to purcure money for the purchase, except by hunt- ing with the Indeans or setting traps, wherefore to such expeditions I resolved to have recourse. Al- ready had I received pressing invitations to accom- pany their hunting parties, so that (though hitherto had I declined such proposals) I anticipated no ob- stacle to the accomplishment of my design. The G

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rigour of the winter was yet to severe for my feelings, but as I had often found profit from being in a state of readiness, I took care to provide a fusee, with good store of amunition. And no soon- er had the inclemency of the atmosphere abated in some degree, than I joined a number of the hunters, who were about setting out in quest of moose, deer and such other game, as might come to hand. We stayed out upwards of a week ; our custom being to traverse the woods in almost every direction, during the day, and at the approach of night, to strike up a large fire, and lie down upon hemlock boughs, with each man a blanket, but no other covering, than such as the canopy of heaven afforded. To me these hardships were quite irksome ; I wished them at an end, although we had very good success in our business, for beside killing several moose and deer, we acquired a variety of fur animals. On return to the camps the booty was equalized, in usual manner, among the hunting adventurers. After this I continued the same pursuits through- out the remainder of the season, which ends usually in April or May, and my dividend of the furs sold for about thirty dollars. As divers English people used occasionally to visit us to purchase furs and the like, I disposed of my fare to those visitants ; and among other articles procured ten gallons of rum, with which I regaled a number of my Indian friends, as long as it lasted. By this exploit I so far engaged their good will and gratitude, that no sooner did I acquaint them with my desire to learn the healing art, than they promised me every instruction in their power, which, subsequent to this I ever found them ready to afford.

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Having thus far succeeded in my favorite scheme, I hencefort hdevoted the greater part of my time to the study of Indian botany and physic, and being naturally possessed of a strong retentive memory, I made rapid proficiency under such skillful guides. My studies were rarely interrupted, except when I was obliged to hunt or attend to my traps ; but to such kind of drudgeries I was forced sometimes to submit, in order to procure furs to purchase neces- saries, the use of which I was unable or unwilling to forego.

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CHAP. VIII.

Venus presents me with a miss, Who proves a source of present bliss; Yet, tho’ in manners wild and rude, Know, pretty belles, she was no prude.

---

Now had the more vertical rays of propitious Phoebus subdued the rigors of the in- clement year, and transformed the surly, hiemal blasts into pleasing zephyrous gales. Already had he renewed the beauties of the vernal bloom, and restored to the animate world the festive joys of a mild atmosphere. These were circumstances most congenial to my feelings. Already had I acquired such competent skill in the Indian dialect, as to be able to converse freely with the natives, and had moreover formed a personal acquaintance with most of them belononging to the vicinity, particularly so with Polly Susap, the niece of old king Tumkin Hagen, who inhabited near the borders of lake Umbagog. Upon this young squah, who appeared more beautiful in my eyes, than any other female of her whole tribe, I had placed all my desires, and bestowed much of my attention. From time to time I had presented her with many little tokens of my love and esteem, till, by such assiduities, I attracted her notice, and captivated her fondest affections. From that time forth, she was always desirous of my company, and I was much in hers. As I was a frequent visitor at her father’s hut, we had many opportunities of conversing together,

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and when I went into the forest, with Molly Occut or others, to collect vegetables, or for whatever purpose, she was generally a sure attendant in the train. Her parents observed our growing pariality with much complacency, and fondly looked forward to that epoch, when they hoped to see us joined in the bands of wedlock. But to concur with propo- sitions of that nature was foreign from my wishes, since I allotted to make no permanent residence in the society of this people. My principal and indeed sole inducement in cultivationg the friendship of this young woman, or if you please, savage, was to remedy the want of a female companion, while in these rude regions. It is the nature of man to need such helps and con- veniencies, as smoothe the asperities and soften the rugged condition of life, and intercourse with the sex is not the smallest of those advantages. I have often heard it observed of a sailor, that he has a wife in every port, and indeed, at the time here spoken of, I supposed myself entitled to a like privilege, though belonging to a different element. However this might be, I successfully prosecuted my amour with the aforesaid beautiful savage, who now supplied to me the place of a wife, though without the fashionable appellation. By her un- wearied condescention she rendered my abode, in this unpleasant wilderness, much more tolerable, furnishing me with many of the comforts and ne- cessaries of life. My frequent rambles abroad and tedious hours at home were enlivened with her social company. Whether my employment hap- pened to be hunting, or visiting traps, she was a G 2

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careful follower of my footsteps, or faithful attend- ant at my side. Alas ! those scenes are past and gone ; yet, even to this day, does the recollection of them diffuse, through my bosom, a melancholy gloom, difficult of resistance, and akin to the remembrance of de- parted friends. Amid the pursuits I have been describing, the second summer, since my arrival here, had taken its flight, and dreary winter, robed in snow, had again displayed its forbidding form. It being altogether problematical how much longer I should abide in thse parts, and my desire being ardent to acquire some further acquaintance with the situation of this extensive country, before taking a final leave of it, I purposed availing of the very first opportunities to explore it east and west. Early in February, which is the commencement of the main hunging season, I was positive several parties would set out in quest of moose and deer, be- cause on the improvement of this season, depends, in good measure, their livelihood for the whole year. With a view of joining some or other of those hunters, I carfully provided myself with what- ever necessaries might be had, and when the time for departure arrived, we set out, loaded with steel and squat-traps, guns, hatchets, ammunition and snow shoes ; those accoutrements making up the bigger part of our luggage ; since with itinerary provisions we were very little incommoded, our whole viaticum consisting of only a morsel of salt, and a mere trivel of smoked or frozen ven- ison. But, though our dependence for sustenance was altogether on the fruits of the chase, yet were

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we in no great jeopardy of famishing, for the sa- gavity of the hunters in starting game, and their dexterity in running it down with their dogs, far exceeds any thing of the kind known among civil- ized people. Our daily stages were from twelve to twenty miles only, except when the heat of the chace tempted us to exceed those limits, as was sometimes the case. What I disliked most of all, was our cold, un- comfortable mode of lodging, which absolutely forbade the reception of much repose. Our only accommodation of this sort was a parcel of hem- lock or spruce twigs thrown upon the snow, on which we lay down, before a large fire, rolled up in our blankets. In this expedition, however, we met with extraordinary good fortune, killing a va- riety of moose, deer, bears, saple, minx, raccoons, wolverines, &c. and in the course of it visiting lake Memphremagog, and the Indians residing in that department. After we had collected, as we supposed, a suffi- cient quanitity of meat and skins to serve present exigencies, and had secured, indian like, such ma- terieals, as were more cumbersome, we returned home, loaded with as many of the most valuable and portable articles, as we could well carry ; leav- ing moreover in bass and pine troughs (for the purpose of freezing) several large parcels of moose and other wild meat, which we allotted to convey home at a more convenient season. This winter, also, I took another excursion east- wardly, visited lake Umbagog, and made some ac- quaintance with old king Tumkin Hagen, who was at the head of the whole tribe. The dress of his

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family was somewhat gaudy, especially that of his wife, who was adorned with nose and ear jewels, and braceletes on her arms ; besides a variety of trinkets and gewgaws decorating the other parts of her body. I tarried here several days, and receiv- ed, during my stay, the politest attention, both from the king and his household. By these late peregrinations I had seen a consid- erable part of the country, and had visited a ma- jority of the savages belonging to the whole horde. What I had seen and undergone in those trouble- some and fatiguing marchase, had fully sated my curiosity. I desired not a repetition of them ; where- fore, taking leave of the king, I made the best of my way toward those Indian settlements with which primarily I had been conversant. In a few days, looking forward, I saw the smoke of them at a dis- tance, and presently arrived thereat in health and safety. By this time I had become an able proficient in the methods of hunting, as practiced by the natives of Canada, could construcrt and set any kind of wooden or steel traps, in a very adroit and expedi- tious manner, and was likwise, when attentive to such functions, as fortunate in the acquisition of game, as were the Indians themselves ; though, about this time, an accident happened, which gave me no small disquiet. On a certain day, in the beginning of April, 1774, having sojourned in this place almost two years, I went out towards Androscoggin river, in company with one Indian only. We carried a number of steel and squat-traps to set for sapie, and other furred animals. When placing the ma-

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chinery, I asked the Indian if he was willing to go shares with me in the game. He shook his head, and said ” No.” We returned home, and the next day went out, as before, to visit the traps. On arrival it appeared, that my success had been greater than his ; but he wanted to share stakes, though he had refused my proposal to that purpose but the day before. I reminded him of his refusal then, and told him, on that account, I should de- cline doing the like now. Not satisfied with my reasoning, he insisted on an equal division of the game, while I as strongly remonstrated against the impropriety of his request. At length finding himself unable to gain my compliance, he grew infuriate, and holding up his tomahawk, made mo- tions, as if in the act of hurling it at my head. At this moment I had no weapon of defence, hav- ing laid aside my fusee to unload the traps. I was fully sensible of the imminent danger I was in from the deadly weapon of so dextrous an adversary, and despaired of being able to evade the blow, in case he should let fly the fatal instrument. I had now no means of safety, but in my endeavors to assuage his turbulence, at least till I could recover my gun. this device I essayed to practice, by ac- costing him in the most soothing terms, intreating him to do me no violence, and I would comply with his wishes. Pacified, in some measure, by those concessions, he dropt his menacing attitude, and stept up, as if to divide the spoil. This afford- ed me time to recover my fusee, seizing which, I hastily cocked and presented it at his breast, bid- ding him drop his tomahawk instantly, or I would finish him upon the spot. Seeing my resolution

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the savage was appalled, and threw away his offen- sive weapon, which I gathered up speedily, and then drave him, as a prisoner, into the camps. Each of us carried his own game, but at the mo- ment of return, the offended savage repaired to the rulers, and entered a complaint against me. Whereupon, a counsel of inquiry being called, my antagonist came forward, and accused me of maltreatment and abuse, to wit, of defrauding him in the division of the game, of menacing his life, and of disarming and driving him, pris- oner like, into the camps. Soon as I had per- mission to speak, I made my defence by stating the particulars, just as they occurred. The assem- bly was attentive, and after a patient hearing of all we had to say, the senior Indians held a sort of consultation, which over, one of them, addressing the complainant, delivered a long harangue, in sub- stance, though not precisely, in the terms follow- ing. At the first coming of this white man to reside among us, we received him with open arms, adopt- ed him as a brother, and promised him hospitality and good usage, during his sojournment in our land. You, in particular, were not remiss in shew- ing him offices of kindness and humanity. En- couraged by such tokens of our friendship, he has abode here a long time, and we hoped his confi- dence in us would never be shaken, especially by the ill treatment he should receive from any of our nation. But we are sorry to learn, that our hopes in this have been wholly defeated, by the late con- tention that has arisen betixt you. We have heard all you had to say (respectively) in vindica-

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tion of your conduct, and now we desire to render you both due justice, yet without partiality to either. It has long been the privilege of your hunters to enjoy, unmolested the fruits and effects of their individual exertions, whether acquired by success- ulf [sic] stratagem, or the more arduous toils of the chace. That our English brother is entitled to like advantages none will deny. With what view, then, did you require partition of his spoils ? That a prior agreement, for that purpose, existed between you, we have no evidence, save your own assertion, which is inadmissible, in cases of this kind. For those reasons we consider you culpable, not only for requesting a part of his game, but for threatening his life and safety, seeing it was your duty to protect both. But now listen to that part of our discourse, which more especially challenges your attention. We, the elders and chiefs of our nation, wishing to prevent a repetition of such disorderly conduct, and resolv- ing to punish its perpetration in future, do strictly prohibit your further attempts to the prejudice of this stranger ; for in case you be known, henceforth, to do him the least injury, we assure you before- hand, that we will bend down a young sapling, lash your legs fast to the top of it, and then, suffering the tre to recover its former position, will leave you hanging by the heels, as a spectacle of wretch- edness, till death. Such was the sentence they pronounced against the offender, and I firmly believe they would have put it in execution, had he afterwards rendered me the least essential mischief. This, however he at- tempted not, yet I perceived his secret enmity, and

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was fully convinced of his desires to obtain a bloody revenge. For that reason I was obliged to be very circumspect in my conduct for fear of some personal damage. Though here I would mention, that several months after, happening to have spiritous liquor, I sent for the same Indian, and gave him a good portion, at which mark of civility he was so highly pleased, that he told me, he shluld be glad to drop the animosity, and drink with me in friend- ship, which being as ready to do as himself, we agreed to bury the hatchet, and live in amity for the future. From the time of this settlement he appeared an altered man, and his behaviour to- ward me was quite different. This same spring I was out upon a hunting match with another Indian, when, happening to espy a female deer at some small distance, I level- led my piece, and dropped her dead upon the spot. The Indian ran toward the game, but presently called aloud for my approach. Drawing near, I discerned, in the bushes, about a rod from the deer, a large buck lying dead also. On examination it appeared, that I had killed both of them at the same shot, though the buck had been invisible at the time of fire. All this while I had pursued my courtship with pretty Polly, but her parents began now to be im- portunate for our union. They urged the unusual length of our courtship, and said it was high time to think of marrying, if we intended to follow the worthy example of their ancestors. I excused the matter, by saying I wished to procure, first, a better Indian habit ; but Polly’s mother thought my dress good enough, and insisted upon a speedy consuma-

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tion of the nuptials. This pertinacity of theirs put me to numerous shifts, but at last it was agreed to let the affair rest, till such time, as I should procure a more fashionable apparel, corresponding with the etiquette of the country. But here I leave my fond companion to speak of other particulars It had long been an approved custom, among the savages of Sudbury, to visit Quebec, every spring of the year. All who had ability, were desirous of performing this necessary duty. The principal motives of such journeys were the purchase of abso- lution of sin, and to have the souls of deceased friends prayed out of purgatory. Those spiritual benefits the Roman catholic priests and friars had taught the Indians to consider, as of very essential consequence, but for favours of this kind they had to pay in furs or money, and sometimes at a very dear rate. Many were the egregious frauds and impositions practiced by those selfish, hypocritical beings upon the poor, ignorant Indians, as I have heard them frequently complain, notwithstanding which they still continued their visits every spring, though the travel was one hundred and sixty miles. However the Indians had other puropses to sub- serve, (beside the spiritual ones above mentioned) by those vernal expeditions to Quebec ; for thither, at such season of the year, they practiced the con- veyance of their winter hunt of furs, with which they purchased blankets, muskets, amunition, and other warlike implements ; the rest of their conveniencies being obtained from the New England settlements. About the beginning of May, this year, a conside- rable party, laden with furs, as customary, set out for Quebec, but now Molly Occut herself made one H

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of the itinerants. Her motives, in undertaking so troublesome an expedition, were the pardon of her own sins, and the strong desire she had, that the soul of her deceased husband should be prayed out of purgatory. He had been dead several years, and she had hitherto neglected to discharge this pious duty. Resolving to atone now for former remissness, she set out, as above, with the rest of the company, and with a valuable pack of furs at her back. After an absence of two weeks they return- ed, bringing home divers articles, which they had in exchange for their furs. on arrival several of the adventurers recounted, in my hearing, a pretty ludicrous anecdote of the worthy doctoress. It related to a transaction, that took place between her and a certain catholic priest, at the time of his praying her husband out of purgatory. On account of the drollery of the incident I will here insert it. Molly having disposed of her furs for cash, about forty dollars, was not forgetful of the pious pur- poses of her journey, so with several others, she went directly to a priest, and acquainted him with her wishes, requesting to know the sum he should ask for performing the godly services. The crafty priest, knowing the sum she had recently received, demanded the whole forty dollars, and insisted on the money being told down, previous to his en- trance on the sacred duties. With this unreasona- ble request she complied, though with some reluc- tance, and the nthe treacherous old Levite, with much pretended sanctity, began the solemn farce. In the first instance he gave her pardon and absolu- tion, and next undertook to petition for the depart- ed soul of her late husband. At length making a

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finish of his foolish ceremony, he informed her, that the business was happily completed, and that her husband’s soul was safely delivered from the bonds of purgatory. She, however, was very particular in her enquiries, whether he were certainly clear or not. The old priest asservated repeatedly, that he was absolutely free. On this she scraped the mo- ney off the table into the corner of her blanket, and tying it up was about to depart. The priest some- what nettled, demanded the meaning of her ma- noeuvre, and threatened to remand her husband back to purgatory, aunless she gave him the money. Her replay was, that she knew her husband too well to believe it in a priest’s power to do that, for (added she) my husband was always a very prudent man. I have often observed, when we used to traverse the woods together, if he chanced to fall into a bad place, he always stuck up a stake, that he might never be caught there any more. Without further ado, she made the best of her way off, leaving the poor ecclesiastic to console himself for the loss of the money in the best manner he could. But to continue my own story–The late expedi- tions I had accomplished, had impeded for a spell, my medical improvements ; though I was far from losing sight of that favorite object, and now when Molly had returned from Quebec, and I was more at leisure, I renewed my intense application to medici- nal enquiries ; generally attending my patroness, when she visited her patients, gaining, by those means, a much better insight into the Indian me- thods of cure, than had otherwise been possible. I fondly hoped to reap the benefit of all my acquirements at some future period, and my expec-

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tations have not been wholly abortive. Indeed, frequently since, has the little medical skill I pos- sessed, procured me a night’s lodging, or a morsel of bread, which otherwise I had dearly wanted. The third summer since my residence in these barbarous regions now came on apace, moderating the intemperature of the cold northern latitudes and dissipating the huge masses of snow ; these to me were no unjoyous circumstances, for not being so well inured to excessive hardships, as the Indians, I frequently suffered much in their company, not on- ly from the inclemency of the weather, but also, from the want of suitable apparel. During this summer my pursuits were much of the same tenor, as those above related. However, in the course of it, one occurrence happened that re- quires a more particular recital because it affected my feelings so greatly at the time, and my health so considerabley afterwards, that scarce ever can it be erased from my memory. On a certain day, about midsummer, I went a distance into the forest, with several other hunters, in quest of a little venison. In the course of our travels I separated from the rest of the company, intending to join it again upon occasion. Not be- ing acquainted sufficiently with the country, and the atmosphere becoming cloudy, I mistook the way, and wandered about (unconscious whither) till approach of night. When not hearing any tidings of the Indians, I struck up a fire and lay myself down before it, in hopes to take some little repose. BUt in this I was disappointed, for not being used to encamp alone in such a dismal wilder- ness, I was in constant dread of being torn in pieces

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by the wild beasts of prey. Their terriffic notes and echoeing responses, forming altogether a most horrid melody, which assailed me from all points of the compass, and sometimes within a stone’s throw of my encampment. The night seemed almost an age, and when morning appeared, I knew not which way to shape my course, as it still continued cloudy and rainy. What added to my distress was, I had no sort of provision to satisfy the craving of appetite, for by travelling and fasting, for twenty four hours together, I already began to feel quite feeble. Conscious it could answer no good end to remain in my camp, I set out, early in the morning and travelled, the whole day, greatly fatigued, without finding food, other than leaves and a few wild ber- ries. When night overtook me, a secon time, I was still utterly at a loss to know where I was, or which way to proceed on the morrow. With those gloo- my prospects before my eyes, I kindled up a fire to warm and dry my weary limbs ; but hunger and anxiety became so poignant, and the howling of the savage beasts so dismally terrifying, that I received very little refreshment from sleep. Next morning the sun rose clear, and I trusted in being fortunate enough, in the course of the day, to find some settlement, where possibly the means of preserving me from famishing might be procured. With fainting hopes indeed, but with the utmost exertion, I took the direction most likely to answer my pur- pose, but my expecations were again foiled, for the third night arrived without bringing the smallest prospect of relief. By this time the reader may well suppose, I was so far debilitated with hunger and fatigue at seri- H 2

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ously to apprehend inevitable death in this woody labyrinth. The greater part of this night was spent in considering what steps I should pursue on the approaching dawn. At last I came to a resolution to steer a southerly course, which, of necessity, must conduct me to some English settlements, before I should have travelled, at farthest, one hundred miles. But how to accomplish a journey of such extent, under present disadvantages, was the fearful question. The very thought of it seemed to stag- ger my utmost resolution and dishearten my wishes. Yet I thought it more eliegible to proceed, than to lie down without a struggle, and await the hour of dissolution. Accordingly, the next morning I pro- secuted my travels southwardly, guiding my steps, by help of the sun, in the best manner possible. I proceeded this day, as far as I found myself in any capacity of travelling, being convinced, that of consequence I must grow weaker, every day, upon such miserable aliments, as the wilderness afforded ; for, as yet I had caught no living thing, not even a squirrel. As soon as night, for the fourth time, overtook me, I struck up a fire, as usual, by the help of my gun, which as yet though with great difficulty, I had made shift to carry. THis night was more painful to me, than any of the preceding, for al- though the raging keenness of hunger had in some measure abated, without being satisfied, yet a faint, listless weakness, with incessant griping pains, had succeeded. The ensuing day I renewed my jour- ney with scarcely surviving strength to enable me to drag along my debilitated limbs. Having travel- led two or three miles, as near as I could guess,

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to my great joy, I was so fortunate as to strike into a hunting paty, following which, I found the Indian encampment from whence I had wandered. My arrival was about evening twilight. Thus after having wandered in the lonely deserts, with- out food, for five whole days and four nights, did fortune conduct me to my kind Indian friends ; an event much to their satisfaction, as well as my own. Upon reflection it appeared, that my distance from the settlements had not been so remote, as my ap- prehensions had painted, and that, in all probability, the different circuitous direction, I had meandered, during the overcast weather, had consumed the above period, as no other hypothesis would account for my arrival at the time above noted. However this misfortune gave me a distaste against hunting in future, and it was sevearl months, ere I gained the entire re-establishment of my health. After the above, nothing memorable befel me during the residue of that summer, but, in the winter ensuing, I began to harbor serious thoughts of leaving this rude, though hospitable people, and of returning to the land of my nativity. I had al- ready seen as much of the maners and customs of the Canadians as I wished ; had become acquainted with their language, and had acquired (as I conceiv- ed) such a competent share of medical knowledge, as might enable me to practice physic with some prospect of success. For those reasons I formed a design of quitting the country sometime in the spring ensuing, or whenever the weather and trav- elling should permit.

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CHAP. IX.

To ridicule we’re strongly prone, All other customs, save our own.– —-

MEANWHILE, before taking leave of a people, among whom I had continued so long, and from whom I had received, generally speaking, much hospitatlity, I do not think it amiss to give a brief account of some few of their more singular and remarkable customs, in addition to those alrea- dy noticed. In doing this I shall confine myself to the mention of such particulars only, as ocular de- monstration will enable me to avouch. The Indians of lower Canada are straight in stat- ure, but of a slender make. Their eyes are black, quick and piercing, and their features regularly shaped. The colour of their skin is reddish, simi- lar to that of tanned leather. Their motions are deliberate and their dispositions, the general affect of ignorance, prone to suspicion. They are always on the lookout, as though apprehensive of danger ; are generally hospitable to strangers, from whom they have received no offence ; but their thirst of revenge, when they have experienced the least in- jury, is insatiable beyond comparison. In fine, being unpolished and naturally capricious, they are ticklish, uncertain friends, as well as dangerous ene- mies. In the article of dress they are proud and gaudy, when of ability to procure finer. Their garb is

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thin and loose, and various parts of the body are suffered to remain quite naked, even in winter. Their principal clothing however, is a small coarse blanket thrown over the shoulders, and tied about the waist with a wampum girdle. On their head they usually wear, in cold weather, a fur cap, and frequently a small strip of saple or other skin round the neck. They have a sort of buskins that reach above the knee, with mockasons on their feet ; and lastly, a small piece of cloth, called a band, fastened round the middle. The particulars above enume- rated constitute their ordinary dress, their arms and thighs being bare at all seasons. They are so enured to cold and hardships, that they will lie down in deep snows, before a fire, each rolled up in a small blanket, sleeping comfort- ably all night; their diet being whatever they may chance to catch during their rambles. As their reliance is principally upon hunting and fishing, the plenty or scarcity of food among them is altogether matter of uncertainty, depending pretty much upon the fortunate success of the chase. When provisions are scarce, they are sometimes, from necessity abstemious and sparing, but, on the contrary, in times of plenty, they are constitution- ally profuse and excessive, both in eating and drinking ; devouring, at such seasons, as much at once, as might have sufficed for several days. In winter they preserve their meat by freezing it in bass or pine troughs. Their method of season- ing it in summer is the following ; they cut it into quarters or joints, and hang it upon poles, three or four feet above the surface of the earth. When

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collecting a mixture of old withered leaves, dry rubbish and green boughs of pine or hemlock, they set fire to the mass, and continue the fumi- gation, till it has thoroughly penetrated the meat, and the outside becomes hard and seared. This process requires usually two or three days and nights ; after which their venison will keep, with- out putrefaction, a whole year. When I had be- come familiarized to te use of smoked meat, I esteemed it more savoury, than that which had been preserved by freezing ; as the latter, when destitute of salt, became excessively nauseating and disgustful to the palate. One pernicious practice, to which those poor people were miserably addicted, as I had frequent opportunities of witnessing, and which was one great cause of their wretchedness, was their excess- ive fondness for spiritous liquors ; with which they were supplied, for the most part, by the Neweng- land traders. Such was their insatiable thirst for the fatally intoxicating potion, that they would cheerfully barter away, in purchase of it, their most valuable furs, even after encountering every in- credible hardship, of cold, hunger and fatigue, in their acquirement. Frequently have I remon- strated with them on the folly and impropriety of this conduct, but without making and lasting im- pression upon their minds. Whenever they hap- pened to procure a supply of rum, from that mo- ment, while it lasted, all business was wholly laid aside, ad the most horrible and alarming scenes immediately took place. At such intervals I was obliged to be extremely cautious for fear of being assassinated, or at least wounded in the fury of their

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bacchanalian revels ; dancing, whooping, singing, fighting and drinking, making up, alternately, the circle of their phrenzical amusements. The slightest affront, on those occasions, was sufficient to throw them into a state of perfect mad- ness, in which there were spared neither friends nor foes. It was not uncommon for those demons, when en- raged, to draw their long knives, wth which they went usually armed, and with those dangerous wea- pons, to cut and slash one another in the most hor- rid manner. This I have frequently witnessed, though I never knew any one actually slain in any of their infernal frays. Once, however, upon a sudden uproar, which arose about the division of some rum, one Indian was so miserably lacerated, that he came near death in consequence. One long gash, in particular, he received below the breast, but luckily for him, the wound was hardly deep enough to let out his intestines. Through the unwearied care of the Indian doctors, his wounds were in time healed. After those infuriate orgies had subsided, which was never the case, till the liquor failed that in- spired them, it was not unusual for those votaries of Bacchus to recline indolently in their cabins, for several days upon a stretch, ere they could assume prowess to shake off the effects of their pernicious surfeit. Respecting their religious tenets it is difficult to frame suitable conclusions. It appeared on the whole, that they entertained some belief of a su- preme Being, but were pretty indifferent as to ren- dering him any kind of worship. What little they knew of the christian religin, they had learnt (I

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presume) of the Roman catholic friars, but their notions, relative to such matters, were a confused jumble of crude, incoherent ideas, about which they seemed to trouble their heads very little, but would notwithstanding, now and then mention. In a word ; it appeared in my view, that their re- ligious system was worth very little, and their modes of worship not uch removed from a farce. Their nuptial rites were few and simple, being only the following. As soon as the parties had fully concluded upon the match, and relations had accorded their consent, it was customary for the bridegroom to go and throw a deer’s leg into the bride’s tent, after which she was wont to throw an ear of corn into his. Those solemnities were in- tended as symbolical of the appropriate duties of each, and, when duly performed, the marriage was legally consummated. Although I have frequently been told of the many ceremonies practiced by the Indians on such occasions, yet the above were the only material ones occurring within my notice. After marriage they generally hold their festivals and days of visiting and rejoicing. When they sleep together the man’s head is placed at the wo- man’s feet, and vice versa. This position, however, I presume, is not always the same. Before marri- age they are a little prone to incontinence ; but very few instances of matrimonial infidelity are to be found among them, as they entertain a peculiar veneration for the sanctity of the nuptial covenant, and severely punish its violation by their laws, which require that the end of the culprit’s NOSE shall be amputated.

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When they lose a friend or relative, by death, their grief and lamentations are great and unfeign- ed. They spare neither cost nor pains to celebrate the funeral obsequies of the defunct with all possi- ble pomp and solemnity. I have, a number of times, partly out of curiosity, been present at those solemn spectacles, and have observed them with some attention. There is scarce any end to the multiplex ceremonies, they think necessary to per- form at the time of interment. The most material of which are the following. Having carried the corpse to the grave, they lament over it a while with loud complaints and bitter howlings, which are accompanied, also, with extraordinary gestures and violent contortions of body. This over, they place, in the grave, the deceased, with his body in an erect posture, wrapped up in a blanket, and dressed out as usual. They then put his fusil into his arms, his pipe into his mouth, and deposit, by his side, a sufficient quantity of tobacco, powder, balls, steel, tinder and provisions ; these were un- doubtedly designed to enable him to perform the long and tedious journey he had to encounter. Having done every thing which they suppose might contribute, in the least, to his benefit or comfort, they cover him up, in an artificial manner, with wood, stones and earth, taking care, that the body be incommoded with none of the materials. In this manner are the rites of sepulture executed. After performance of the above and other cere- monies (all being deemed indispensable) the specta- tors are allowed to return back, and partake of a feast provided on this solemn occasion. I

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Those being the most remarkable usages I ob- served while residing in Canada, I shall ad no more, but in a laconic manner, proceed with my own history, as usual. It being my conclusion, as already stated, to quit these territories, and return to New-Hampshire, as soon as the travelling should become good, which I supposed would be the case, sometime in the month of May, ensuing ; and that time drawing near, I began to make preparations for departure. Calling to mind, however the many kindnesses I had re- ceived from these uncultivated people, I had a de- sire before bidding a final farewell to the country, to treat for the last time, such of them, as had con- ferred on me the greater obligations. To this end I purchased five gallons of rum ; when, inviting a round number to my hut, I gave it them to drink, with which token of civility they were extravagantly gratified. I also acquainted Polly Susap, (my marriage with whome I had by various devices procrastinated to this period) that I was under an indispensable ne- cessity of returning to my native land, for the pur- pose of settling business of importance to myself there. At these tidings she appeared greatly af- flicted ; and, to console her I was compelled to make reiterated assurances, that I would return to her embraces, on the wings of love, the first favour- able moment. Thus having made every necessary arrangement, I was ready for the prosecution of my journey. Wasting no time, therefore as the footing was al- ready tolerable, I took leave of my old friends, and departed from Sudbury Canada, on the way towards

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Lee, the place of my ancient abode. This occur- ence took place about the last of May, 1775, after a residence with the Canadians of nearly three years. Several of them escorted me about fifty miles, that is to say, as far as Pigwacket, where, with some fur skins, I purchased two gallons of rum, and a large roll of tobacco, both of which articles I presented my Indian guides, and accepted their hearty thanks in return. And now having been so long absent from my family, and friends at Lee, I felt an ardent desire to visit them without longer procrastination. Accor- dingly, being in good health and spirits, I pursued my way so briskly, as soon to reach that town, where I had the satisfaction of finding all my con- cerns well. As my friends had received no certain intelli- gence respecting me, during my long absence, they had begun to foster doubts of my welfare ; so that my sudden appearance, at this time, was a matter of surprise to them all ; nor was it diminished by the account I gave them of the various scenes I had pas- sed through, while resident in Canada. Upon inquiry I now learnt, that, for the greater part of her three years abandonment, my wife had been reduced to many difficulties to sustain herself and children, in any tolerable manner. At hearing those things I was exceedingly chagrined, though there seemed little probability that her condition would be meliorated by my present return. In fact, the wilds of Canada were but a scurvy place, in which to gather riches ; so that I had come home, save a store of health, as empty handed, as I went. To this may be added, that by so long an

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abidance among the slothful Indians, I had contract- ed (it was obvious) a habit of indolence, that unfit- ted me for laborious employments, and this at a time when unwearied efforts were necessary for the support of myself and family.

[END OF BOOK I]

NARRATIVE

OF

HENRY TUFTS.

BOOK II.

CHAPTER I.

Lo ! martial clarions, sounding from afar, Excite the supine, and arouse to war.

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During my Canadian adventures, the horrors of a civil war had burst forth between England and her colonies in America. In conse- quence of this, orders for the enlistment of troops to join our armies were frequent in most places. Being by nature volatile, and prone to novelty, I was strongly impelled to become acquainted with a military life. This my fancy pourtrayed, as the best method of supporting self and family, in a way consistent with beloved ease, and at the same time, as, certainly more honorable than thievish pursuits, though a soldier in fact, may be a thief. Soon, therefore, I left home, and meeting with Captain Clarke, enlisted into his company for two months. We were marched directly to Portsmouth, and employed in the building and re- I 2

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pairing of forts, in the vicinity of that town. I served as cook to part of the company, and tarried the whole time of enlistment, without desertion. One night, however, as I was travelling in the streets of Portsmouth, it was my ill luck to meet with two riflemen, one of whom accosted me with ” You are the devil, that served us so to day.” Not knowing to what he alluded, I inadvertently re- plied ” Yes.” At which without more ceremony, he knocked me down with a club ; striking out two of my foreteeth, and leaving me for dead in the street. Soon, however, recovering some use of my senses, I made shift, with very great difficulty, to reach a neighboring house, where I tarried till morining. Being determined upon revenge, I loaded my gun at the moment I awaked, and issued forth in quest of the assassin. I found him at Til- ton’s tavern, and resolved to shoot him instantly. In the broad entry, I met Gen. Sullivan and Col. Cilley, who, having heard of the abusive treat- ment I had received, suspected my real motives, and demanded the surrender of my arms. Instead of immediate compliance, I shewed my wounds, related the whole adventure, and protested my de- termination to have recompence. The general said the villain deserved chastisement, and should receive it ; still peremptorily ordering me to deliv- er up my weapons. Not daring to disobey the general, who was our commander in chief, I com- plied with his injunctions though with reluctance. At that moment, Col. Cilley approached the rascal, who had thus maltreated me, belaboured him sound- ly with his sword, and ordered him under guard, to the jail in Portsmouth. There he was confined ;

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I know not how long, but my term of enlistment having expired, I returned home to Lee, and spent several weeks to little or no advantage. After this, being solicited by Capt. Denbo, I enlisted into his corps for two moths more, and was directed to repair to Winter hill, near Boston. Here our troops fared, at times, so slenderly, that we had to atone for the dearth of allowance, by stealing pigs, poultry, and such like articles. One night I went to Mystic, with two others, and stole a number of dunghill fowls. Just as we had caught and killed them, the owner happened to hear a disturbance a mong his poultry, and ran out to discover what the fracas might be. I hap- pened to espy him, just as he was stepping out of doors ; so to give my comrades a better chance to secrete the plunder, I marched up to the farmer, and made enquiry for some cider. He said he be- lieved somebody had been stealing his poultry. ” Nothing more likely, (quoth I) for just now I saw several fellows running down street.” ” Damn them, said he, I believe they have carried off some of my fowls.” Uttering this, he invited us into the kitchen, and treated us plentifully with cider ; we then bid him adieu, and marched off jovially with our feathered booty. ON the way back to quarters we picked up a couple of geese more, and made a delicate feast on the whole the same evening ; but, the next morning, the proprietor of the geese paid our com- missary a visit, and complained to Capt. Denbo of his loss. The captain told him to search where he pleas- ed, so the farmer made inquiry, till weary of the pur- suit ; but not being able to track his property, or fast- en the theft upon any one, we had permission to drive

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him out of the camp : this we exultingly put in ex- ecution, pelting him unmercifully with snow balls, and using him, in other respects, I must confess, ex- tremely ill. At the expiration of the two months I was dismissed with the commendation of having behaved as a good soldier, and returned to Lee. I staid at home but a short space, ere I once more enlisted, for other two months, under Capt. Folsom, and marched back to Winter Hill. In a few days our company was stationed at Cambridge college, and assisted in building the forts at Lechmore’s point ; but, while engaged in this busines, we were forced to submit to much hardship, and were extremely exposed to the fire of the enemy the whole time. Provisions being aslo scarce, we were reduced to half allowance, and obliged to spend part of our wages to prevent absolute starvation.– Not relishing such short commons, I resolved to trick, if possible, something out of the commissary, whose name was Smith. Accordingly, with the connivance of several of the subaltern officers, I went and drew our company’s quota of pork for the day, and conveyed it to the place of destination. In a few minutes I returned back to the commis- sary’s quarters, who was yeat dealing out provision, when spying on the head of a barrel, a large por- tion of the side of a hog, weighing about forty pounds, I called out in Mr. Smith’s hearing, to James Hall, one of the company, saying, ” You lazy devil, why don’t you take away our meat ? You expect me to do the whole drudgery, but I’ll see you hang’d first.” The commissary, who heard this rough greeting, turned about in a pet, exclaim- ing, ” What’s your meat here for ? If you don’t

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take it out of my way in a twinkling, I’ll lay an embargo on the transport.” As I was to the full as anxious for the speedy removal of the nuisance, as the gentleman himself could be, I thrust the pork through with a stick, in which manner, Hall and I lugged it off very triumphantly, thus easing the unsuspecting commissary of the incumbrance in a trice. As our wants had been pressing, the officers of the company were by no means offended at my successful stratagem, justly concluding we should need a moderate quantity of rum, while devouring this acquisition ; I told them I would undertake to provide that desideratum likewise. So running out of doors with much alacrity, in order to find a suitable tool to dispatch much upon the embassy ; whom should I meet with but old Hall, the father of him abovenamed. Without preface, I requested him to go to the sutler’s, and get us a gallon of rum, but he declined, unless I would furnish him with the money. As it happened I was destitute of the ne- cessary evil, but knowing Hall to be an illiterate man and very ignorant, I drew from my pocket an old summons, which had been served on me for debt some time before. Presenting this, I told him it was a four dollar bill, and desired him to procure me the rum with all speed, and return the change. His scruples being now removed, he set off to execute his commission, while I, knowing the imposition must be detected by the Sutler, and wishing to make both ends of my project meet, dispatched after Hall another man (whom I let into the secret) with directions to bring away the rum at the moment of its delivery, and before Hal should present his old

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summons to the tapster. My envoy arrived in the nick of time, and fulfilled articles to a punctilio ; but scarce was his back turned, when Hall pulled out the supposed bill to make payment. The sut- ler, not being familiarized to such odd kind of money, demanded its value. Hall replied it was a four dollar bill, and requested his change. At this the sutler, who was an arch blade, had much ado to repress risibility, but being willing to carry on the joke, and knowing hall to be a responsible man, told him he was unable to break the bill just then, but would charge the rum and take pay ano- ther time. With this answer, Hall went away en- tirely satisfied, and very honestly returned me the old summons, together with a history of his pro- ceedings ; and here the affair rested, for he never discovered the cheat, till called upon by the sutler to make remittances. We regaled ourselves like lords upon these good- ly things, which we devoured with as keen avidity, as though they had been acquired ever so honestly, while I received the applause of every guest, as well for my zeal, as ingenious contrivance. Much of a piece with the above was the rest of my conduct, till my discharge and return to Lee. Soon after my arrival at the place last mentioned, I went to Newmarket, where being bantered to wrestle, I accepted the challenge ; but, some how or other, my antagonist’s knee was so badly sprain- ed, by a fall I gave him, that he was wholly a crip- ple for six months, and had a stiff knee ever after- wards. I was, at this time of life, both strong and ath- letic ; valued myself much, as a wrestler, and was

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to boot, quite fond of this exercise, which, howev- ever, is a pernicious one, and attended with evil consequences, as experience has proved. A few of the misfortunes, that, first and last, have befallen me, while pursuing these practices, I will here enu- merate. At one time I had my wrist put out of place by wrestling ; at another, one of my arms was broken ; at a third my elbo joint was dislocated, after which my collar bone was broken, and again two of my ribs ; all done, at different times, by wrestling. About this period I went to Wallingford in Ver- mont, where at the raising of two buildings, was a great wrestling match. A certain mulatto man threw all out who had the hardiesse to engage him. At his success he exulted immoderately, and con- tinued calling out to the company to bring in their trash. I had been standing, as a quiet specator the whole time, without a wish to intermeddle in the business. But at length a number of the bystand- ers requested me to enter the lists. I declined, to little purpose ; they still absolutely insisted upon my taking a turn with the champion, who was yet in possession of the ring, and boasting of his prow- ess. At last, to gratify the company, I yielded to their persuasions, and approached the ring. My opponent, vaunted excessively, accosting me in terms none of the politest. We engaged with equal animosity, but I had the satisfaction to bring him upon his back, twice successively. He insisted upon a third trial ; I complied, but now my antag- onist was more unsuccessful than before, for find- ing himself likely to fall, he clapt out his hand to prevent it. At that moment I struck, his arm

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with my foot, and snapt it short off. This, for the present, cured my hero of his athletic disposition, but I was seriously agitated at his misfortune, and the more so, as I had been the unlucky cause of it. No surgeon being near, I undertook the office of setting the bone, and performed it adroitly ; three months, however, elapsed, as I afterwards learnt, before the fellow was capable of ordinary labour. At another time I wrestled with a black fellow (belonging to Col. Smith, of Newmarket) when, unluckily, he was so much hurt by the receipt of a fall I gave him, that he died within the first fort- night. I understood that the poor fellow did not acquaint his master with the true state of the af- fair, but pretended to have fallen from a hay loft ; yet the fact was, as here represented. The above tragical accidents, though occurring at different periods, I have preferred bringing into one point of view, the better to illustrate the me- lancholy effects of wrestling, and as a caveat to others to avoid similar pursuits. In short so many were the mischiefs continually betiding myself and others in consequence of such pernicious exercise, that at length, though much in vogue, they became my aversion and abhorrence.

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CHAP. II.

With Mars I quarter spurious grace and zeal, And, Proteus like, a novel semblance steal.

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SINCE my return from Canada, I had followed, occasionally, the practice of physic, more especially when absent from Lee ; making use of Indian medicines, and observing their methods of cure. By such expedients I gained, now and then, a few shillings, and was cased of many itinerary expenses, to boot. But the aera now commenced in which I was to appear on the theatre of action in a new character. This originated from a desire for novelty, and partly from a strange notion that took me of assuming the deportment of a religious con- vert. My new metamorphosis was quite sudden, and had its rise in the following circumstances. A set of religionists, stiled new-lights, who pre- tended to far greater sanctity than their neighbors, had arisen of late in divers places, especially in the town of Lee. The enthusiastic meetings of those zealots I had frequently attended from mo- tives of curiousity, and to their manner of praying and exhorting had paid the minutest attention. As I was possessed of mimic powers, and had a tena- cious memory from my cradle, I was quickly in ca- pacity to imitate their canting tone, and to adopt the tenor of their discourses with precision. It was even thought by some of my cronies, that, in the gift of exhortatien, [sic] I far surpassed all in the town K

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of Lee, or, indeed, elsewhere. I felt a degree of exultation at their encomiums, and having a mind to view the country, and try my skill as a preacher, I purchased me a new suit of black, a large Scotch plaid gown, and cocked up a beaver, though, to tell the truth, these articles squeezed my purse dry in the purchase. But I regretted nought, since I now fancied myself equipped to a T, and had moreover sanguine hopes of some lucky reim- bursement. I believe my family admired at my strange conduct, and were desirous to find out what was going forward ; but I kept my views the profoundest secret. Not daring to exhibit any religious pretences near home, I set off, directly, in the ministerial ha- biliments abovementioned, for the Kennebec coun- try, where I expected to be an entire stranger. Advancing as far as a place called Little Falls, in the district of Maine, I made a stop, and attend- ed a week-day lecture. Here one Mr. Gould was the officiating minister. Every person present, judging by my clerical dress, took me for a real priest also ; and after the religious exercises were nearly finished, Mr. Gould observed, that there was room for any person to speak, who might see occasion. Thinking this a convenient opening in which to display my talent at exhortation, I arose, and, with much outward zeal, addressed the assembly in a speech of considerable length. When I had made an end of speaking, I resumed my chair, and the pious parson, rising in turn, averred, that I had preached as loud a sermon to his soul, as ever he had witnessed in his life, and that he verily be- lieved I was a heaven born saint, if there were one

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upon the footstoo. In reply to this, a young wo- man, by the name Peggy Cotton, who was a member of the same church, rose also, and exclaimed, ” He a saint ? so is the devil incarnate ’ for my own part I have no belief in his pretended sanctity, let him profess what he will.” At this abrupt declaration, the ghostly priest was much astonished, and de- manded the reason of her jealousy. ” If I must ex- plain myself further, added she, permit me to say, that my opinion of this man is derived from his conduct, as it is said a tree may be known by its fruit. I took notice, on his entrance into the meeting, that he first surveyed my face, then my feet, then my whole person, in such a carnal way and manner, that I perceived he had the devil in his heart.” This accusation, which I confess was literally true, disordered my muscles not a little, though I could not but admire at the intuitive sagacity of the young gypsy, who was able to hit off, so adroitly, my real character. In short, I felt myself in an awkward situation, and knew not what reply to bestow upon her accusation, when, luckily, I was relieved, in some degree, from the perplexing hobble, by the well meaning parson, who, at this instant, took part in my defence. He reprimanded, in severe terms, my fair accuser, for harbouring an idea so greatly to my disadvantag, and on no better foundation than suspicion, which is frequent- ly fallacious. Resuming courage at this diversion in my favour, I seconded the parson in a similar strain, and expatiated on the excellency of chris- tian charity and forbearance. As two against one are odds at tennis, so poor Peggy, finding her ground untenable against both, prudently withdrew

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from the meeting, and left me master of the field, as well as argument. This flurry having subsided, the people were about to depart ; but the reverend priest invited my tarrying at his house all night ; I accepted of the courtesy, and received the most polite treatment. The next morning, bidding my kind host adieu, I journeyed on still eastwardly ; and now, taking a retrospect of the occurrences of yesterday, I thought I had succeded tolerably well in this my first ministerial coup d’ essay, notwith- standing the little rub I had met with from female observation. Accordingly I was bent on trying the event of a second experiment, if a suitable opportu- nity should occur. While such thoughts occupied my brain, I jogged on, and, as things happened, was present at another meeting the ensuing sunday, where, at the close of service, I gave the auditory so pathedic an admonition, as drew tears from the eyes of several. In fine ; exhorting and praying, either in public congregations or private families, was my daily practice during this whole tour, which as now appeared, I had spun out far beyond my original plan or intention. Therefore, after so long a time I returned to Lee, well satisfied with my novel adventures, and the more so, since what with preaching, and what with doctoring, I had made out to fare splendidly, and to bring home a seasonable relief for domestic exigencies. In the course of a day or two, (it being now mid- winter 1777) I went to Greenland, and spying a bee-hive, (the property of Dr. Weeks) in a tangi- ble predicament, I made a halt while evening, and then conveyed the prize to the house of a friend, where we shared the contents between us. A few

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days after, being at Folsom’s tavern in the same town, I was met by the Doctor, who not only charged me with stealing the hive, but threatened my commitment to prison. I found he watched my motions very critically, but, while he, with his adjutants were preparing to execute their mena- ces, I jumped out at a back window, fled to parson M’Clintock’s garden, and tehre concealed myself in a cluster of bushes. The doctor, with his whole party, followed hot foot, but while they were eager- ly exploring every cranny of the parson’s precincts, I slipped off unnoticed, reached the great bay, crossed over on the ice, recovered safe home, and met with no further obstruction on the same score afterwards. Subsequent to this, I ventured nocturnally to Portsmouth, in hopes of meeting with some wind- fall there ; but discovering no prospect of that kind, I wheeled to the right about, and set off under shround of darkness for Stratham, where I had seve- ral trusty associates. Not far from Portsmouth I drew near a certain gentleman’s seat, which I had often visited before. Here I made a halt, when feeling a sharp desire for some kind of food, as I had been fasting for many hours together, it oc- curred, that I knew of a horde of apples and pears not far distant. some of those I intended to obtain ; so I groped about, till, as I thought, I had found the spot where they lay ; but after all met with no small resistance in breaking into the deposit. At last, however, I effected that purpose, and entered a dark subterraneous cavity. Without delay I fell to searching about, in expectation of finding, among the rubbish, something to assuage k 2

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hunger ; but, in a minute or two, I stumbled upon some old trumpery, that at first touch seemed to give a hollow, clattering sound. I pressed on, in- tending to explore the premises thoroughly, when in fumbling about I presently discovered, that I had got hold of a great coffin, which stood in one cor- ner of the cell. The fact was, I had broken, thus heedlessly, into an old, crazy tomb, where lay inter- red a grandmother, and her daughter. It will be hardly possible to form an idea of my surprise, my utter astonishment, when I found myself environed with those frightful inhabitants of another world ; for a few moments I was unable to move hand or foot ; literally speaking ” my hair stood on end, and my voice clave to my jaws.” I feared to re- treat, lest the old lady and her daughter should muster arms to obstruct my exit. At last, however, I recovered motion, and with a bound, evacuated the horrid domains, leaving those tenants of the tomb to enjoy henceforth their repose unmolested. With tremulous steps I reclaimed the highway, and without veering to the right or left, passed on, till I found a welcome asylum in the bosom of my own family. During my present continuance about home, I perpetrated a variety of thefts of minor conse- quence ; but being desirous of brighter atchievments, I digested the scheme of journeying westwardly, in like manner as I had lately travelled east. Leav- ing Lee, in pursuance of this arrangement, I passed from place to place, appearing sometimes in the character of a physician, and sometimes of priest, as best suited my purposes ; which practice I con- tinued till I had strolled to Norwalk in Connecti- cut.

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The science of deception, as my readers must suppose, had been ever my favorite study, and, among other acquirements, I had learnt to disguise a horse so artificially, by various methods, most fre- quently by the help of different paints, that the ow- ner, to have known his property again, must have had uncommon sagacity. A trick of this kind I put in practice on the present occasion ; for happening to meet, one evening, with a valuable horse belonging to one Johnson, I did not lose the propitious mo- ment, but seized the prize, and rode him to a se- cluded place, where I so altered him, by painting his face white, spotting his feet and legs, and clip- ping his mane and tail, that he had altogether another appearance. The next day I was overtaken on the road by Johnson himself, who, on missing the horse, had set out in quest of him and the thieves. He sur- veyed the nag repeatedly, but never recognized his property. We travelled in company several miles, and then parted without his entertaining the small- est suspicion of the deceit. The horse I kept but a day or two longer, for not daring to appear with him at Lee, I sold him for the money, and with it repaired thither. Shortly after this, I was taken by one Cilley and Butler, who gave me to understand, that I must attend them to Andover. I requested to know on what emergency, and was shewn an advertisement purporting, that a man, named Henry Tufts, had enlisted as a soldier under Lieut. Frye (a recruiting officer, for the Ohio) but had absconded. The de- serter was described as light haired, and having lost his foreteeth ; a description completely applicable

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to my person. Being conscious I had enlisted with no man breathing, since the wo months service under Capt. Folsom, I was much at a loss to ac- count for this strange coincidence, but was positive there must have been some mistake or other in the business. I told Cilley and Butler to that amount, and remonstrated against the measures they were taking, but giving no heed to my assertions, and wishing to obtain, forsooth, the reward offered for the deserter, they enforced my departure for An- dover. I was carried before Lieut. Frye, of that town ; by whose papers it appeared, that some person, calling himself Henry Tufts, had enlisted for the Ohio, and had actually drawn his bounty money, blanket, &c. I informed Frye, that some impostor, allured by the bounty, had imposed upon him by the assumption of my name, but that I was entirely innocent. Frye was at a stand, but conceived I must be the identical person who had enlisted, yet would not be altogether positive. As it happened, another gentleman had been present, who being sent for and asked the question, replied that I was not the man who enlisted, which decided the con- troversy at once. I was discharged, and received from Cilley and Butler the sum of four dollars, which was some indemnification for my time and trouble, and the only reward they acquired for their officious conduct. I posted home ; but it seemed at this juncture, as if evil was indeed determined against me, for di- rectly upon the back of my last misadventure, I met with further molestation, which was briefly as follows.

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One afternoon, I set out with two others, for the purpose of catching fish, and, as it happened, we staid out all night. Early the next morning I arrived home, and presently after received a visit from one Ichabod Hilton of Newmarket, who, com- ing to my door, vociferated loudly, ” It is you I am after.” Supposing he intended I should help him on his farm at Lee, as was sometimes my practice, I made answer, ” I can’t help you to-day, for I was out all last night.” ” I know that,” replied he ; and without further ceremony, he burst into the house, with several followers ; seized, instantly, my person, and carried me before Walter Bryant, jun. Esq. where I learnt, that while I was on my fishing excursion, some ill minded persons had broken into Hilton’s cellar, and stolen thence nearly a barrel of pork, being all he possessed in the world. Hilton, as was natural enough, suspected me to be the thief, and such were the reasons for the strenuous meas- ures he had then taken. Justice Bryant gave me but a slight examination, for finding no damning proof, he rather advised my being forwarded to Exeter, to the end that some further council might be had on the trial. This expedient was adopted, and I was escorted to the complainant’s house, where I was closely guarded while dinner was preparing. In the interim, I sent for one of my fishing adventurers, in order to prove an alibi (not an alibo ;) my witness came and placed every circumstance in its proper point of view, so that Hilton ; who was at length convinced of my innocence, waved further process, and gave me a cordial dismission. Three days after this, the stolen goods were dif- covered in an old cellar, in Hora’s woods, so called,

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by Hilton himself, who afterwards laid in wait near the spot, and was so lucky as to catch two of the thieves, the father and the son. They were both cast into Exeter jail, and the old man was constrained to sacrifice a yoke of oxen, and receive nineteen lashes in the bargain, before obtaining his release. No sooner did I escape from Hilton’s clutches, than I made a cruise to the Isle of Shoals, distant from Portsmouth about nine miles ; my purposes being twofold, the one, to catch a few fish, the other, to traffic a smal matter with the inhabitants of those sterile rocks. Our crew, four in number, met with ample success, as well in the business of fishery, as in our other undertakings ; but, on re- turn homeward, it was our mishap to be suddenly overtaken by a cruel and distressing storm. It would be invain to attempt a description of its fu- ry, or of the fears and sufferings of our little com- pany. Suffice it to say, that, at last, after every fatiguing exertion, we made shift to recover land, but were more dead than alive in consequence of the disastrous voyage. As this had been the first, I resolved it should be the last time, of my trusting to so treacherous an element as the ocean, unless driven thereto by imperious necessity ; although I well knew that he who was born to be hanged would never be drowned. At this epoch, one Ephraim Clough, of Lee, made me a proposal to carry on his farm at Can- terbury, on terms so advantageous, that I hesitated not to close with his offer, and to remove my fam- ily thither with all convenient brevity. My new place of abode bidding fair to be productive of ma- ny advantages, I applied to business with much

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assiduity, and amongst other pursuits, drove a pretty brisk traffic in buying and selling horses and neat cattle. One day I set out on a speculating tour, and journeyed on as far as New Concord. Here I met with one Eastman, who took a fancy to my horse, which indeed was an excellent one. After chaffering awhile, he bid me in exchange for him, an aged mare (on which he lavished many encomi- ums) and his note of hand for forty shillings, pay- able at a short day. With this proffer I closed ; but, on my passage homeward, discovered, to my mortification, that my purchase was hardly worth picking up in the street, for she soon tired, and, what was worse, had been wind broken, and other- wise essentially damaged. I was much chagrined at the loss of my horse, but well knowing that re- cantation was out of the question, I concluded to sit down easy, and make the best of a bad bargain. A while after, upon inspection of the note, I found it had been written for forty dollars, instead of forty shillings. This had been Eastman’s mistake ; but I meant to profit of the circumstance, so far, at least, as to bring him to an equitable compromise. With a view to this, I paid him a visit, acquainted him with the fact, and demanded payment, which he refused, being then quite intractable ; but at length finding himself caught, he paid me twenty five dollars for the redemption of his note, which re- stored harmony between us, but concluded our dealings. In the course of six months, while residing at Canterbury, I bought and paid for fifty acres of wild land, though afterwards being offered a small famr much to my liking, I sold it, and every other

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article I could spare, for paper money, intending to collect a sufficient sum for the purchase of the farm in view ; yet, after all, the owner and I dif- fering a mere trifle in the price, we never made out to finish the bargain. I kept the money on hand, as many wise people have done, for some time, during which it depreciated, at such a rate, that I eventually lost the major part of my little all. But why do I complain of this, since similar indeed has been the fate and issue of my every enterprise through life ? Being now reduced to pretty great straits to make out a subsistence, and meagre poverty staring me in the face, I went to Lee, and carried away, clandestinely, a notable quantity of flax, with seve- ral other articles. The owner suspecting that Tufts must be the thief, followed post haste, and took me prisoner. I was arraigned before justice Batchel- der of Loudon, where the proof being sufficient, I was driven to a compromise, which cost me in the end, a very good yoke of oxen. I was not, however, so far discouraged by those reiterated misfortunes, as to remit any part of my exertions in the retrieval of them. On the con- trary ; I applied, with redoubled diligence, to my farming and healing business, alternately, just as occasion called ; and fortune so far smiled upon my honest endeavors at agriculture, as to send me a plentiful crop the same year, which caused me to forget, in a manner, all former losses and inquiet- udes. But the present interval of seeming pros- perity vanished more rapidly, than the morning dew before the solar beam, by the intervention of disaster more destructive in its consequences, than

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any I had lately experienced. While I was absent on a journey, my house accidentally caught fire, and was burned to the ground. In it were con- sumed all my household furniture, meat, corn, and indeed, every article I possessed ; it being in the autumn of the year 1778 (according to my chro- nology) when the conflagration took place, I lost a sufficient quantity of provisions to have sufficed my family the whole year. I had earned the little I then lost by industry ; yea, by the sweat of my brow. It was my all. I must have been callous and devoid of feeling, to have been insensible to so bitter a calamity ! feel it I did, with anguish and despondency of mind. The above dismal catastrophe compelled me to move back to Lee, where I undertook to manage my father’s farm for one year. But no long time elapsed, before I chanced to fix my eye upon a likely, young mar, that belonged to my towns- man, James Davis. This beast struck my fancy so forcibly, that I coveted the conversion of her to my own use, though decidedly, a transgression of the tenth commandment. Without loss of time, I laid a stratagem to steal and ride her away to Norwalk in Connecticut, that town being up- wards of two hundred miles distant. All this I executed successfully, and there swapped her for a sightly horse, which I bestrode, and trotted toward West Point, where lay a part of the American ar- my. My only motive in this portion of the jour- ney, was to visit my brother Eliphalet, who was a soldier in that quarter. On the road I met a man riding express, who having tired his horse, was importunate to exchange L

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him for mine, averring the urgency of doing the business in a minute, if at all. Thinking to take advantage of his necessity, I demanded as much boot, in cash, as my own horse was reasonably worth, which he, having no other resource, was obliged to tell down. Elated at so lucky a wind- fall, I jogged on slowly, (though in prime spirits,) till I alighted at a tavern in the town of Woodbury, where I put up for the night. The landlord and his wife were absent from home, and the woman, who was left in charge of the house, being immoderately fond of a cherish- ing glass, she, with the other domestics, made so great a clatter all night, that I took very little re- pose. In the morning I ordered out my horse, and called for the reckoning, which being shewn by the hostess, I handed her a fifty dollar bill. She took it, but being much intoxicated with her morning draught, as well as evening debauch, she gave me back two hundred and fifteen dols. by way of change. I asked, if she had made no mistake. She damn’d me, and said I had better call her drunk ; adding, I had not received my proper due by ten dollars ; but, on account of my insolence, she would pay me nothing more, till my return from the camps, nor even then, unless I asked her pardon. Hearing this, I begged forgiveness, and she, in token of reconciliation, presented me with a gill of rum ; but said, for her word’s sake, she must withhold the ten dollars till my homeward return. On this I left the house, and presently perceiving that my new horse was as good a nag, as legs e’er cross’d, I soon reached a place called Soldiers’ Fortune, near West Point, where I saw

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my brother Eliphalet, with whom I tarried one night. I had brought him a pair of shirts, but he would receive only one, having an ample supply already ; the other I sold to sergeant Hodgdon, and took seventeen cartridges and a quarter of a pound of powder in part pay. Betimes in the morning I quitted the camp, with intent to return to Newhampshire, but had been gone but a few minutes ere one Dockum, who had seen me purchase the cartridges, went and in- formed Col. Reid, that I had been buying up the soldiers’ ammunition. On this information the Colonel dispatched one sergeant Fowler, with a file of men, in pursuit of the transgressor. They overtook me at a tavern, a few miles from the army, where I had stopped to take breakfast, and instantly ordered me to return back to camp. I remonstrat- ed ; but to no purpose ; wherefore, knowing op- position to be useless, I made a virtue of necessity, and complied. They carried me before Col. Reid, who sternly enquired, if I had been purchasing the soldiers’ ammunition. I answered affirmatively. ” Were you not apprised (demanded he) that, by law martial, such a crime is capital, and may cost the offender’s life.” I replied that I had no such knowledge, but he affirmed that such was the case, and thereupon called in sergeant Hodgdon, who sold me the cartridges. The sergeant’s story was, that he found them, as well as the powder in ques- tion, at Morristown, where they had been dropped by the British, when they abandoned that place. The Colonel not satisfied with this account, which he supposed fabulous, caused the long roll to be beaten, and three companies of foot were paraded

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under arms. These solemn preparations filled me, I must confess, with terror and amazement, as I knew not in what manner they were to terminate. I expected nothing short of severe corporal punish- ment, if so fortunate as to escape death. Every man’s cartridge box and other accoutrements were next examined ; but, while this was doing I shook in my shoes, lest a deficiency should somewhere be found ; however, I was at length eased of my fears on that head, for it turned out that each soldier had his just complement both of cartridges and other ammunition. Such being the case, the companies were dismissed, but I was still retained under a strong guard, because a court martial had been called, and was then in session. What their decis- ion would be I knew not ; nevertheless my suspense was of short continuance, for, in less than half an hour, the court broke up, and order arrived for my final dismission. Once more then I left the camp, happy at escap- ing this unforeseen difficulty with no greater detri- ment ; but before leaving the neighborhood of the army I disposed of my horse, saddle and bride, not daring to be seen with such appurtenances at or near Lee, where the people would have surmised that I obtained them fraudulently. On entering a wood five miles from the encampment, I was sud- denly assailed by a French deserter, who presented his loaded musket, and demanded the surrender of my purse. I plead poverty, alledging that a trifling matter of change was all I possessed in the world. The robber grew impatient, and with horrible de- nunciations enjoined the immediate delivery of that little. To pacify him I promised compliance, but

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while I was rummaging my pockets under pretence of finding my purse, we heard the trampling of footsteps at no great distance. The highwayman wheeled about to descry the intruders, when in- stantly I cocked my fusee, and pointing at his breast, damn’d him, most vociferously, for a pig- tailed rascal, swearing I would dispatch him, as an oblation to Vulcan in a twinkling, if he attempted moving so much as an eye in his head. At this rough greeting my hero was much daunted, and called out for quarter. I bade him march, with his gun clubbed, or I would blow his brains out, on the least symptom of disobedience. Those menaces had the desired effect, for fearing their literal exe- cution, he marched off to the tune of the ” rogue’s march,” till quite out of sight. Proceeding onward I presently discerned a par- cel of soldiers, who were coming toward me. I turned out of the way to avoid them, but, at sight of me, they presented their guns, and commanded me to halt, under penalty of immediate death. On wheeling, they drew near, and told me, they had been out several days in pursuit of deserters, but had found none. I assured them I was not one of that description ; they were convinced, and gave me a dismission. I met with no further impediments till evening, when I found myself near a tavern occupied by a young, Dutch widow. Feeling a degree of lassi- tude, I went in, and requested accommodations for the night, which were readily granted. By and by, the mistress of the inn, who was an arrant co- quette, enquired if I had a mind to sit in a likely young widow’s lap, and share a bowl of punch. I L 2

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answered, my reader may rest assured, affirmative- ly, and, with much seeming gallantry, took posses- sion of my seat. While we were romancing and drinking very lovingly, she took out her silver snuff box, made in the fashion of a heart, and vowed she would bive any man a bowl of punch, who could produce another of equal curiosity. As it happen- ed, I then carried in my pocket an elegant silver box, which had lately stood me nine crowns in the purchase. This I presented for the jolly widow’s inspection, who could not but confess, that I had beaten her at her own weapons. This whole night was devoted to festivity, but seasonably the next morning I resumed my journey on foot, and hav- ing concluded to explore the country, as far as pos- sible, it became a matter of indifference what route I should pursue. Consequently I made a circuit- ous peregrination, and passed on through many towns and places, both in Connecticut and Massa- chusetts, meeting, as usual, many little rubs and incidents by the way. Those, however, I shall forbear relating, except in one or two instances. From the sale of my last horse I had received a few dollars in silber, and while it lasted, met with no kind of difficulty in procuring necessaries ; but no sooner did that resource fail, than I found some difference, since many people were scrupulous of taking paper money. Beside my stock of paper was quite inconsiderable, so that evils beginning to accumulate, I saw no remedy, save one, which was to shew some old curmudgeon a Rowland for his Oliver. Abounding with such thoughts, I drew near a shoemaker’s shop, it being already eleven o’clock at night, and withal pretty dark. As, of

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this juncture, I had scarce a shoe to my foot, it ap- peared quite advisable to attempt a supply, I there- fore, marched up to the shop window, but was somewhat alarmed, on hearing the joint and several snoring of two men within. Nevertheless I lifted up the sash, and with some trepidation, entered the room. The slumbers of the two men were as yet undisturbed, so I rummaged about till I found a calf skin, and two pair of men’s shoes, being the only articles of much importance in the whole shop. Those, however, I made sure of, and was so fortu- nate as to recover the main road without disturb- ing their nasal chorus. Plodding onward, I digested affairs, so as to reach a certain dairy the next night, as I intended, at a late hour. This stood within two rods of a dwell- ing house, but with its situation I had previously been acquainted. If hunger, as says the adage, will break through stone walls, I supposed it might easily enable me to break through a milk house door. At any rate I resolved to try the experi- ment ; I stepped up softly, and to my great joy, found the door upon latch. I went in, but it was so dismally dark, that I could distinguish no kind of object ; however, I groped about, till I happen- ed to put my hand upon the cock of a gun full bent. This gave me a terrible shock ; I took her down, however, instantly. The gun had been placed there undoubtedly to pepper some intruder, and it appeared the greatest wonder in nature, that I had not crossed the line of demarkation, and thus ended my journey. If such had been the case, few people, I suppose, would have pitied my perverse fate ; but, be as it might, it was my intention

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to take greater precaution for the future. Quit- ting, therefore, the buttery, I found a board fence, which I sat down behind, and there struck up a fire with my matchlock. Making then a sort of torchlight I re-entered the buttery, and presently found a profusion of butter, cheese, bread and cold meat ; with which travelling requisites I made bold to gorge my pack. This necessary business com- pleted, I trudged onward, and had a sufficiency of food to last me a French decade in the consump- tion. As the above was the last remarkable adven- ture, that I recollect, the present tour, I shall only further observe, that a few weeks subsequent to the milk house robbery, I arrived safe at Lee, and had the satisfaction to find my family in statu quo. Here one of my neighbors desired my assistance in cutting a walnut tree, standing in a certain gen- tleman’s inclosure. To assist him, more than any other purpose, I consented ; but just as awe had committed the trespass, and were splitting the sticks, we beheld the owner approaching. My companion, not choosing to be caught in tricks of this kind, leaped into a cluster of bushes, and lay close to the ground, but at this moment our visit- ant cme up. Now as bad luck would have it, there was a wasp’s nest in the very spot, which my accomplice had chosen for his sanctuary ; but the inhabitants, like the Chinese, not relishing a strange guest, assailed him from stem to stern, without mercy ; while he, dreading detection, was forced to lie still, and abide their goads and stings with- out a murmur. Meanwhile, the gentleman, as proprietor of the soil, demanded his moiety of the walnut, but to content him, I proposed cutting

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another tree. This met with his approbation, and the business being dispatched in a moment, he re- turned home ; when my partner was relieved from his ticklish confinement, but as much swollen, to appearance, as a bladder with wind. Knowing our landlord to be extremely forgetful we hazarded hauling away both the trees ; and without doubt the whole vanished from his mem- ory, since he never was heard to complain of the injury. Meantime, James Davis, abovementioned, be- lieving I had deprived him of his steed, made me a domiciliary visit, and challenged me with the theft. As usual, I denied the fact, but on his promising, most solemnly, to take no advantage, if I would only declare the truth, I at last frankly confessed, that I had ridden her to Norwalk, in Connecticut, and there sold her. I further consented to accom- pany hi, or his son, thither, in order to reimburse him, if practicable, by stealing the beast a second time. Agreeably to this, young Davis and myself commenced the expedition, during which, I de- frayed every expenditure by doctoring. As we went on foot, the journey was tedious, but maugre all impediments, we reached Norwalk in the course of a fortnight, timing matters so as to enter the town just in the edge of the evening. I conducted my partner, who was a mere novice in wickedness, to the stable, where I supposed the mare yet in keeping. He went in, with intent to lead her forth, but finding a dozen or more steeds, tied to- gether in the same stall, he was incapable, in the dark, of distinguishing his own from the others. So being utterly averse from taking any other horse,

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he returned empty handed. The night being ob- scure and cloudy, what measures to pursue we could not devise. He was very apprehensive, that his mare had been removed to some other quarter. In this dilemma, I offered, in turn, to make trial of my skill in obviating the difficulty, so, entering the stable, I led out a beast, and told Davis it was his own. He was incredulous, but upon my avouching her identity, we both mounted, and rode a few miles, when finding a horse, saddled and bridled, by the way side, I stript him of his trappings, and tried them upon ours, merely to see if they would fit ; which finding to be particularly the case, I suffered them to remain, and remounting, with my associate, pushed on with much rapidity. We rode upwards of thirty miles before the appearance of the morning dawn ; but no sooner did objects be- come visible, than Davis, much to his comfort, found himself, in fact, on the back of his own mare. Strange as it may seem, I distinguished her from the other horses in the stable, by the manner of her chewing hay. Never hearing that any person pursued after the lost beast, we reached home without obstacle or an- noyance.

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CHAP. III.

Stil, adverse fortune, with increasing weight, Augments his sorrows and decides his fate ; Evincing that our various scenes of woe From our own vices and misconduct flow.

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ABOUT this time, in pursuance of congressional orders, troops were enlisting in every quarter, for three years, or during the war ; to the end, that a more regular and permanent army, than heretofore, might be established for the de- fence of the country. Without advertising to consequences, I went to Salisbury, and enlisted under Capt. True, for three years. This step, as will be seen, turned out great- ly to my disadvantage, and became, for a long while, a source of continual persecution and embarrass- ment. Having enlisted, I had orders to repair to Andover by a certain day, there to pass muster, and receive bounty and accoutrements, which, in- deed, had been my only inducement to the trans- action. At time and place I appeared, and was furnished with some money and other articles, but not with the quantity stipulated. In a short time we were marched to Castle Island, in the harbor of Boston, there to remain, till ordered to join the regiment, under Col. Crane, at West Point. Our continuance at the Castle was four weeks, when directions arrived from head quarters for our pro- ceeding to the place last mentioned. We were three hundred in number, and were marched first

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to Roxbury, where we drew one week’s provision, and then advanced seven miles further to Water- town. Here, evening approaching, every man was obliged, of necessity, to look out for his own lodg- ing and accommodations. While others were en- gaged in this business, I was quite differently em- ployed ; for growing sick, at the thoughts of a three years’ campaign, and having now a conveni- ent opportunity for desertion, I made use of the privilege, and returned by unfrequented paths to my own dwelling. Immediately, however, I found myself in a more critical situation than heretofore, since many strata- gems were now devised for my speedy apprehen- sion, insomuch that I durst not shew my head abroad for fear of apprehension. By clandestine methods, then, I was constrained to procure the means of support, shooling poultry, sheep, and such other conveniencies, as chance threw them in my path. In this occupation, by so long experience, I had acquired a masterly adroitness, so that now I should have yielded the palm to none of my competitors. However, being in coninual danger of seizure, either for theft or desertion, I passed every moment in abject fear and perplexity. My farming business was wholly interrupted, and I durst not venture to hire out. To steal or starve, then, was the question ; I wisely preferred the former, and drove a brisk stroke at the dangerous pursuit. By such conduct I acquired many new enemies, who were determined, at all hazards, to have me arrested and sent on to the army. The first visit I received for this purpose was from one John Bar-

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ter, and others, who, thinking to take me by sur- prise, surrounded my habitation, just as I had re- turned from a nocturnal excursion. My brother Eliphalet, at this critical instant, happened to be in my company ; we therefore concluded to resist their attempts as manfully as possible. They ordered me to open the doors and surrender, otherwise I must expect the stormy of my castle. My assistant, bade them keep their distance, swearing he would shoot the first man, who should offer to touch the door ; still our assailants, regardless of his menaces, pressed on with vigour, and appeared obstinately bent upon breaking into the house. In this conjuncture I suggested to my second, that if he would open the door and flee, it was more than probable (seeing it was a dark night) they would pursue him instead of me, while, in the interim, I might chance to escape. This project meeting approbation, was put directly to the test, and the result was his being followed by the whole gang. I now had a favorable moment in which to escape, so slipping out at a back door, with the utmost precipitancy, I fled to the deepest recesses of the forest. Barter and his followers had a fatiguing chace of it, but, in the end, made out to overtake the fugi- tive, whome they escorted to the house of one Bur- leigh, where by the help of candle light, they dis- covered their mistake, and were egregiously ridi- culed for the comical blunder they had committed. My brother afterwards complained of the assault, and several of the aggressors were fined as peace breakers. The foregoing incident alarmed me so greatly, that, for a fortnight, I durst not return to my dwel- M

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ling, unless, perhaps, in the dead of night. By de- grees, however, I grew bolder, and began to lodge at home as usual ; of which, some how or other, the same party gained intimation, and besieged my house in the gloom of night, a second time. They now rushed on with more impetuosity, if possible, than before, and bursting through the door, made me a prisoner, in spite of my utmost effort to the contrary. The next day they conducted me, un- der bonds, to Exeter jail, in which I was closely con- fined, for the purpose of being with other deserters conveyed to the army. In this forlorn receptacle I continued five days, oppressed with the most gloomy apprehensions of approaching punishment, when unexpectedly the sight of a screw auger and two compass saws, pre- sented by a friend, gave me more heart felt joy, than the receipt of a purse of gold would have afforded. With those tools I quickly commenced operations, and bored nearly through the jail wall, just under the scuttle window, intending to drill a sufficient opening into the broad entry for my emancipation. The wall plaistering I was obliged to remove at each renewal of my toil ; but, to prevent suspicion, was careful to replace it at the moment of quitting work. In this mode I proceeded, till the timbers were nearly cut through in two several places, so that I could remove the block at pleasure, and only wai- ted for an opportune season, in which to break bulk. This presented at a time when Mr. Ladd, the jailer, and his wife were absent at a funeral. As he passed through the entry in his way to that so- lemnity, he enquired whether I was ready to break jail (for sometimes I had jeeringly threatened him

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with so doing) I answered ” yes.” Ladd, however, whose head was never formed for the discovery of plots, supposed me only in jest, and therefore passed on. But soon after his exit my whole scheme had like to gave [sic] been rendered abortive, through my over eagerness, to regain freedom. For, at the cri- tical moment of my removing the block above men- tioned, two or three female hoity toities, having a desire to peep behind the curtain of futurity, hap- pened to be coming up stairs, to importune my tell- ing their fortunes ; so that I had scace time to re- instate the block, ere they made their appearance. I was in momentary expectation of their espying the new fracture ; and in truth they must have been blind, as the deity they were about consulting, not to have discerned it ; but luckly for me they were too much engrossed with their own fiddle-faddle to notice the fissure, though so glaringly visible. As I deemed it more eligible to be rid of their imper- tinence, than to enter into a prognosticating dia- logue, as they desired, I fell to jesting with them in such unseemly language, as caused them to scam- per down stairs with more than customary agility. Without a moment’s delay I once more pushed out the wooden obstruction, and though it still wanted two full hours to sunset, stript of my appa- rel, and attempted to force myself through the breach. This had seemed an easy matter in theo- ry, yet, as is common, proved hard in practice, for, in obtaining this second birth (to liberty) I had a des- perate struggle indeed. Nevertheless after suffer- ing the most excruciating tortures, owing to the narrowness of the passage, I at last effected my pur- pose, and, to my great joy, found myself in the broad entry.

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There happened to be in the apartment I had just forsaken, a certain man named Whiting, who had also been imprisoned for desertion. This fellow seeing me thus far successful, was encouraged to at- tempt, likewise, his own escape in the same way. So stripping himself with all diligence, he essayed to croud, feet foremost, through the aperture, in the manner he had seen me, but, being a personage of some greater corpulency, he stuck fast in the passage. To aid his delivery, I continued pulling at his feet, till he, bruised to a mummy, could abide the ex- tremity no longer, but roared out most vehemently, insomuch that I feared he would alarm the whole posse. Dreading lest my escape should be frustrated at last, I quitted Whiting, and sprung to the entry door, which I fastened with an awl, then running to my comrade, I used every exertion to extricate him from his uncomfortable birth ; yet, af- ter all, was obliged to leave him fast wedged in the passage, and how long he remained in that doleful posture is to me wholly unknown. Regardless, now, of allthings, save my own deliverance, I search- ed about, till I found an unfastened back window, thro’ which I descended into the jail yard, and, when running off with much agility, met a man a few rods from the jail, who cried out as I passed him, ” An inch is as good, as an ell, pull, Tufts, pull !” I made no reply, but ran with all possible speed to a place, by the river side, called the roundabout, where, stripping a board fence, I constructed hastily a raft, crossed over to New-Market side, and without further obstruction gained my own fathers house. The next day I met with James Smith, that worthy knight of the post aforementioned, in whose

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company I went to Berwick, where by the use of false keys, we opened Moses Purington’s fulling mill, taking thence about fifty yards of fulled cloth. We conveyed the whole to Newmarket, and sold the greater part of it at half price, to people in creditable circumstances. Some of the purchasers, however, though duly apprized how and where we had procured the effects, were so improvident, as to leak out the whole affair, consequently Smith and I were forced to indemnify the injured owner. On discovery of the foregoing scandalous exploit, my adversaries bestirred themselves so briskly, that I was again arrested, hurried to Exeter jail, and se- cured closely in an upper back room. the day af- ter, a man looking in, advised me to beware how I meddled with the timbers fronting the entry, as the same were loose and unfastened. I assured him I should be careful to attempt no such thing. He then importuned me for the loan of a few dol- lars, but I handed him only acouple, which he gratefully received. Perhaps, if Capt. Ladd, or some others, equally sharp, had overheard this dis- course, immediate measures had been taken to prevent all possibility of escape ; but, luckily, every thing abode in statu quo till evening, when I made out to remove several pieces of the aforesaid tim- ber, and thus found myself once more in the broad entry. I made bold to march down the front stairs, and whn passing out of doors, heard the jailor and his family conversing unconcernedly over a cup of tea. Gaining the open street, I made the best of my passage to Lee ; but fearing to abide long there, went to Nottingham, and betook myself to the M 2

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woods. As I was now extremely apprehensive of being diligently pursued, I never adventured into any house, but encamped in the forests and subsist- ed upon dunghill fowls, vegetables and such other fare, as my nightly depredations afforded. In this manner, tow or three weeks elapsed, when grow- ing weary of such miserable existence, I returned to Lee, and took shelter in my father’s barn. Disrelishing, however, even this mode of life, I came to the hasty conclusion of stealing the Long- fellow mare, the property of Ephraim Clough. I had entertained an opinion for some time, that this chap had jockeyed me out of a suit of clothse, and a barrel of rum, which articles I could never pre- vail with him to refund. On those accounts, I owed him an old grudge, and having no other way to be even with him, determined on making re- prisals in the manner abovementioned. Where- upon, one night, I repaired to his pasture, and finding hte object of my search, rode her to Gil- manton, and thence to Meredith ; in which last place, though distant but forty miles from Lee, I had the effrontery to ride about doctoring. I had continued in this employment but a few days, be- fore Clough gained some intimation of my route, and dispatched Capt. Joseph Thomas in quest of his mare, with directions to seize and convey me to Lee, at all events. Thomas procured the assistance of a Robert Bryant. They found me at the house of one Marston, (a blacksmith,) who had been just shoeing my horse. Thomas approached with a muffler over his visage, so that I suspected him not, till he had made me his captive. As the men, in whose custody I now was, were both strong and

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active, I had little prospect, or indeed, hopes, of eluding their vigilance ; so judged it most prudent to submit quietly to the indignity of being man- acled ; which office they exultingly executed, and then started with their prisoner for Lee. Riding a few miles we called in at Ray’s tavern in Gilmanton, where I treated my keepers so pro- fusely with spirits, that both became excessively mellow. The waiting maid observing their tip- pling propensity, advised to my treating them freely ; in which case she would warrant me out of their clutches before morning. I thought her advice apropos, and plied my conductors so warmly, that, before leaving the house, they both grew reeling ripe, and were scarce able to remount their horses. Bryant, soon losing his equilibrium, was incapable of farther progress ; we dropped him on the road, and rode on to Gilman’s tavern, in the town last mentioned. Here Thomas and I alighted just af- ter sunsetting, and concluded to refresh ourselves and horses before renewing the journey. I called for more liquor, when my Argus, making free with the cup as before, was soon in as bad a pickle, to a trifle, as his colleague, Bryant. At this stage of the business, Thomas insisted upon remounting our horses, while I urged the necessity of tarrying all night, promising to be rea- dy, as early in the morning, as he might wish. My remonstrances were ineffectual, but as I had no notion of travelling in the dark, I was bent on study- ing some scheme of prevention. So stepping to the door, under pretence of getting the horses in readiness, I fell purposely to the ground, roaring out at the same time, most bitterly, that I had dis-

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located my collar bone. This pretended disaster set aside all thoughts of removal, at least for the present ; the company thought me exceedingly ill, and sent for a neighboring doctor, who pronounced my case extremely difficult. He assured the peo- ple, in a tone as wise as Cullen, that my removal any where, in less time than a fortnight, would be altogether impracticable. I was well pleased that my device had taken such complete effect ; in which the dictator, Thomas, was constrained to acquiesce, though, by this time the liquor, which he had gorged, in such profuse quantities, began to operate so forcibly, that he was obliged to pros- trate himself on the floor, before the kitchen fire, in order (as he said) to take a nap. He soon fell into the profoundest slumbers, out of which he did not experience a resuscitation, (as I afterwards learnt) till late the next morning. I also took a temporary lodging ; but in the dead of night, (all being asleep) stole softly out of the house, and sped away with the Longfellow mare, leaving Thomas to discharge my reckoning in addition to his own. The next day, thomas, having neither prisoner nor money, with which to clear out, was obliged to leave in pawn, his saddle, and ride home with- out that conveniency. I made the best of my way to Canterbury, and there staid about a week, when news arrived, that I was a deserter from the army, and had moreover stolen Clough’s mare. This report excited no small stir among the inhabitants ; but, by means of a friendly hing, I discovered the danger just in sea- son for elopement. Thus I left Canterbury ; but not daring to keep the road, was forced to abandon

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the mare, which was taken up, and sent home to the owner. Soon after this, my evil genius, Clough, was so pertinacious in his researches, that he succeeded in taking me with a warrant ; and, as preferable to imprisonment, I compounded with my adversary, by paying, and securing to him the payment of, one hundred dollars. At the instant of release, I set off for my father’s dwelling ; but my bad luck was so predominant at this juncture, that, before reaching the intended asylum, I was again captured, and hurried away to Exeter jail.

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CHAP. IV.

Labor omnia vicit Improbus, ed duris urgens in rebus egestas. VIRGIL.

---

IN requital of my former victorious tricks and imprudent behaviour, I was now guarded with more suspicious vigilance, and treated with greater severity than usual. Moreover, from the aspect of affairs, it seemed to strike my imagination, that some greater mischief was yet in embryo. My suspicions were far from being visionary, for a day or two after my imprisonment, the compassionate Simeon Ladd, Esq. who had still the charge of the prison made me an unwelcome visit and imparted a piece of intelligence in its nature the most un- grateful. He affirmed, that my removal into the dungeon was now in contemplation, where I was destined to be chained in irons. I expostulated against the cruelty and barbarity of such a proceed- ure ; yet he, as he was, indeed, callous to the feel- ings of humanity, left me, without consolation, and repairing to Daniel Jones, a blacksmith, in Exeter, bespoke a set of massy irons or shackles, weighing, with their appendages, twenty five pounds. Jones, having prepared those trappings of cruelty, brought them in person, and having rmoved me to the dungeon, fixed a strong shackle round each of my ancles. Presently after, a large bolt, about two feet in length, was introduced red hot ; the taper ends of which were twisted about either shackle, thus

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distending my feet to an uncomfortable distance asunder. To cool the bolt they poured on water, which, trickling down, boiling hot, scalded my feet and ancles so miserably, that I remained a cripple for three months after. While this process was on the anvil, those tiger hearted animals ridiculed my sufferings, and without regard to my tears and outcries, continued the effusion of water, till the bolt was sufficiently cooled. This tragedy ended, all was made fast with a chain, two feet in length, one end of which communicated with the bolt, the other being inserted into a staple, that was now driven through the flooring. In such wretched state, incapable as I was, of stepping one foot before the other upon the floor, I was abandoned to my own reflections. My situa- tion was now deplorable indeed ; I was entirely destitute of wholsome food and lodging, and pent up in a loathsome dungeon, the windows whereof were kept for the most part closed. The mouth of the vault was open, hard by, but which for the brevity of the chain, I could scarcely reach ; while the nauseous and disagreeable damps and stenches, that evaporated incessantly from the filth deposited therein, impregnated the cell with the most odious effluvia, and rendered my condition horrid in the extreme. Hence my health and strength visibly declined, and with them my intellectual faculties. Having no means of healing my scalded feet and ancles, the pains I endured at intervals were in a maner intolerable ; while too, the benevolent janitor refused to supply me with the smallest medi- cinal assistance. The above were a few of the mul- tiplex evils, which conspired to depress my spirits,

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waste my corporeal powers, and sink me into despair. In the shocking circumstances above described, I continued for upwards of three months, without aid or assistance from either friend or foe, or so much as the expectation of relief ! It seemed in- deed, as if there had been no hand to help, no eye to pity me ! Fain would I believe that very few were acquainted with the real state of my sufferings at that period ; sufferings, of which I could foresee neither diminution nor end ! ! Becoming daily more and more debilitated, I was at length convinced, that I must shortly fall a victim to this barbarous treatment, unless some spee- dy method of extrication could be contrived. Ac- cordingly rendered outrageous by despair, I at last undertook the tedious and operose task of breaking jail, destitute as I was, of all needful implements ; a task and labour it proved indeed. To free myself from the chain, by which I was holden to the floor, was apparently the first thing necessary ; for unless this were severed, I could move in no direction to any manner of purpose. Instruments I had none. However, one day, when served with my pittance of food, I contrived to keep back an old case knife, which I notched against my irons and so converted it into a kind of saw. With this miserable instrument I made shift to file off a link of the chain, in so artificial a manner as to be able to close the fracture whenever I had occasion. I could now move conveniently to any part of the cell ; but my strength wasting apace, it was certain that unless expeditious, I should reap no possible benefit from my operations.

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My first step was to examine and pry into every portion of the apartment, if happily I might find any one part of slighter structure than the rest, or more obnoxious to attack. The whole however appeared firm and impervious, only I imagined that the timber composing the vault or drain to be of somewhat less stability, than the residue. Against this quarter, therefore I finally determined to direct my whole battery ; but after the most critical re- search and multiplied exertions, I found it impossi- ble to make the slightest impression, unless by saw- ing off the tenon of a joist four inches in thickness. This, obviously, was a task herculean, yet I set about it with much bravery ; and, by the help of my knife, at last accomplished the undertaking, though it cost me three days and nights of painful toil. Whenever I expected a visit from those who brought my daily allowance, it was my care and practice, to reinstate myself in chains ; yet, maugre this precaution, it was a miracle that I escaped de- tection. I had now rendered practicable my descent into the vault, yet still found to my grief, that all fur- ther progress was impeded, by the intervention of new obstacles. The fact was, every side of the sub- terraneous cavity was surrounded with impenetra- ble timbers, so stroug [sic] that my utmost prowess was inadequate to the removal of a single piece, without the aid of more forcible implements. To remedy this, I resolved, if possible, to cut out the iron bar, or mantel piece, from the chimney, which was a difficult piece of business ; yet I effected it, by scraping away the lime or mortar that cemented it to the bricks. With fresh animation, then, I fell N

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to work, and by the help of this able instrument, so loosened the opposing timbers, that I removed them out of the passage effectually. Fearing, how- ever, lest some inauspicious event might yet mar al, and prevent my escape, I went back, and with much sang froid, replaced the mantel piece in its original situation. During the whole of this elaborate process, I had remained free from suspicion, though visited by sundry people, particularly the sagacious Mr. Ladd ; that lynx-eyed gentleman, though constantly upon the lookout, never discovered the least part of my design ; nor do I believe, had an opening been made in the floor, that Ladd would have noticed it, unless, unfortunately, he had fallen therein. Being now ready for departure, and anxious to leave the domains of this horrid cavern, I descend- ed, for the last time, into the vault, and to my great satisfaction, made out to creep, on all four, into the jail yard, leaving the broken timbers sup- ported with a prop in token of derision. It was already past the hour of twelve at night, and some place of refuge must be sought out, be- fore the light of the morning should betray my proceedings. Therefore, from the environs of the prison, I instantly commenced a singular mode of procession ; loaded, as I was, with the ponderous iron trappings, which, by reason of the bolt, dis- tended my legs to just such a distance asunder. Encumbered in this guise, I could advance but tar- dily, my feet describing the portion of a circle at every step I advanced. The clattering sounds, emitted from the chains, disturbed the general silence of the night, and awakened, in my palpitat-

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ing bosom, ideas of horror and amazement ; lest, unfortunately, I should be obstructed in my retreat at last, and reconveyed to that habitation of dark- ness, which I had, thus recently, abandoned ; to that mansion of woe, which already had made such fearful ravages upon my constitution, and might well, ere now, have become my tomb. Amid such reflections I continued the complex, orbicular kind of movement I was forced to adopt, till I had gotten clear of the compact part of Exeter, when I halted to listen ; but the din of pursuers was as yet unheard, all seemed hushed, and still, as the house of death ; only the noise of a distant cas- cade, trilled through the air in broken murmurs, and stole softly upon the listening ear. My agita- tions began to subside, and fatigued as I was, I marched, or rather hobbled slowly along, till I found myself in a small woody valley, situate a mile east of the jail. In this sequestered spot I reclined upon the earth, exhausted with excessive toil, and lengthy absti- nence. It was certain I could proceed no farther, for the present ; I therefore made use of the little strength yet in my possession, to lop down some tall brakes, for the purpose of precluding the raw, piercing air, and of screening my retirement from the sight of pursuers ; or at present, of eluding the inspection of those who might pass that way, ere my final retreat should be secured. In this comfortless place, I endeavored to com- pose my agitated spirits ; but the chilly damps of night (it being fall of the year) effectually baffled all repose, and caused the solitary hours to linger in their passage.

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Soon as ruddy Aurora had dispelled the noctur- nal shades, and emblazoned, with new born light, the east, I could hear the busy race of mortals, with freshest activity, renewing their temporal em- ployments, while I seemed banished, as it were, from society, a mere excrescence ; an outcast from among men. Bright Sol had scarcely gilded the lofty spires, in plain words, the steeple of the meeting house at Exeter, when I received a serious alarm, by a dis- tant cry, which I supposed must have proceeded from those who were searching for the poor fugi- tive Tufts. I listened till the murmurs began to approximate, when I found I was not deceived in my conjectures. Unable to flee, I lay close to the ground, and presently discerned about sixty persons, old and young, with Capt. Ladd, like Falstaff with his ragged corps, at their head, marching in a di- rection toward the river, and exploring with hound- like sagacity, every hole and corner, as they pro- ceeded. I trembled in every limb, expecting to be unavoidably detected, for they appeared deter- minedly, to bend their course towards my place of refuge. However, fortunately for poor Henry, they passed by, at a small distance, and pursued a track leading to the river side, where espying no traces of my flight, they concluded I had broken the shackles, and, perhaps by swimming over the river, had effected my escape. This induced them to turn homeward, but on their way back, Philip Johnson, one of the troop, chanced to approach so near to the place of my concealment, that, on turn- ing his head, he espied my person, and drawing nearer, stared full in my face. Then it was, I gave

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myself up entirely for lost ; Johnson, however, sounded no alarm as yet, but going toward Ladd cried out, ” What’s to be the premium for finding Tufts ?” Ladd with his usual ingenuity, replied ” Nothing.” ” Then (says Johnson) I’ll hunt for him no longer.” ” Nor will I,” echoed Ladd ; say- ing which, he steered homeward, with the whole posse commitatus at his heels. No sooner were they out of hearing, than, for fear of another visit, I shifted my quarters, crip- pling along, till I reached a sequestered spot, at some distance. Here I made a halt, but so exhaust- ed with alimentary privations, and my uncouth method of travellling, that I vowed to budge never an inch farther, till divested of my dangling accou- trements. Nevertheless as the bustle was now laid, and a ray of hope had moderated my anxiety, I thought first to lie down, and obtain, if possible, a little repose. In this I succeeded so far as to fall into a drowse ; but sleep was of short continuance, the smallest found vibrating on the ear, or the shak- ing of even a leaf, being amply sufficient to disturb my uneasy slumbers. Finding it chimerical to hope for refreshment from sleep, in my present circum- stances, I quitted the mossy couch, and, having a pair of old scissors, bequeathed me a few days since, by a friend, I twisted them in twain, and by notch- ing the two pieces against each other, converted them into a couple of saws. With these poor utensils, I commenced dividing the centre of the bolt ; and in the course of two or three hours, by repeating the flying touches, with the utmost agility, made a visible indentation. This so weakened the bolt, that upon my placing N 2

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the extremities upon two stones, and smiting it with a third, it parted asunder, and eased me of my irk- some manacles without further resistance. Being now exonerated, I hastily tied the iron fragments together, flung them to my back, and trudged away to a place of more safety, where I rested under covert [sic] for the residue of the day. No sooner had the evening shades advanced, than I left my hiding place, and went to the river which separates Stratham from Newmarket. Here the first thing I earnestly undertook, was to wash away some of the filth, contracted by so lengthy a familiarity with Exeter vault. This done, I con- structed a kind of raft with pine boards, of which I bereft a neighboring fence, on which I crossed the tide into Newmarket, so that late at night, I reach- ed home, being, of a truth, almost famished for lack of sustenance. The next day I sold my brother the disgraceful shackles, I had transported hither, which being converted into a pair of clevices, so termed, were esteemed the most durable and valuable utensils of the kind, in the town of Lee. This last absence from home had been of so long duration, that my wife and family had suffered im- moderately ; and, on my arrival, were destitute of many of the comforts of life ; wherefore I resorted, almost necessarily, to the old trade of pilfering ; which, at this time, afforded us a temporary supply. In obedience to a strict adherence to truth, I am here constrained to confess, though I am apprehen- sive this declaration may add, more essentially to my manifold transgressions, than the mention of numerous other miscarriages, that very frequently

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sometimes for several months together, I have left wife and children, wholly destitute of the conveni- ences of life, without previous notice, and without the least excuse for a conduct so inhuman. The recollection of thse enormities fills my mind with remorse and contrition, even to the present day. How excruciatingly painful are the goadings of an upbraiding conscience !

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CHAP. V.

Omnia vincit amor ; et nos cedamus amori. VIRGIL.

---

DESIROUS of portraying, as an ad- monition to others, the real picture of my life and manners, in their native, original colours ; I have advanced thus far, without contradicting, or even shadowing a single feature, however, unnaturally prominent or disgusting, in the group. Wishing still to be influenced by the pencil of truth. I shall proceed in my subsequent delineations with customary frankness, and I fondly hope, without fatiguing the curious observer. At this period I digested a scheme, which had long been a favorite subject of contemplation ; viz. that of visiting some of the southerly states. The real inducements, for atchieving a journey of such prolixity, were, in the first place, curiosity ; and in the second, a desire of liberating myself from the persecution of industrious enemies, who ill brooked my abode at Lee, in any degree of tranquility. I, therefore, quitted home, a pedestrian, but, as we all aim at advancement, soon furnished myself with an excellent horse. Passing through Wilmington, I stole, in the day time, for myself, and a number of soldiers, a bee hive, from the end of a farmer’s house ; the owner being nearly within reach at the very moment. The prize I conveyed to a stone bridge, distant about one furlong, where we de-

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voured as much of the honey as we could well gorge down, sweeter on account of the stealth, and then flung the residue, hive and all, into the river, re- membering the injunction, ” cast your bread upon the waters.” From Wilmington, I patrolled the country as far as Virginia, having daily recourse to customary artifices for a subsistence. I afterwards traversed a great part of that gigantic state, the land of presi- dents ; but, because Virginia, however, colossal, was ill suited to my particular exigencies, I rode back to Newyork ; where, one day, as I was jog- ging deliberately along the highway, I met a young woman of German extraction, with whom I enter- ed into familiar converse. After some minutes whiled in this manner, I happened to enquire whither she might be travelling, and was told, that she was in pursuit of a husband. I observed, that she and I, then, might shake hands with propriety, for I also was in quest of a wife. Upon this, with a smile, she gave me an invitation to attend her home, to which, as may well be supposed, I assented most cheerfully. On our arrival, she introduced me into her fa- ther’s presence, who was an elderly widower, and very rich. The old gentleman, after a multiplicity of queries, told me he had a parcel of idle negroes, but was in want of a good overseer to keep them diligently at work. His fair daughter, seizing this opportunity, ventured to recomend me to her sire, as the fittest person he would meet with to discharge that office. Pleased at the intelligence, the old man bade me very handsome wages, provided I would consent to tarry in the family. This was

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precisely what I desired ; and if I exhibited the smallest reluctance in acceding to the flattering pro- posal, my conduct, certainly, did not correspond with my inclination ; though, to tell the truth, the personal charms of the young lady, rather than the old don’s money, were my principal temptations in courting an alliance with the family. The day following, I was invested with the su- perintendence of the negroes ; an undertaking to me quite novel, and which presently became irk- some ; since the tardiness of the drones committed to my oversight, and their disinclination to labour, but ill accorded with the impatience of my temper. However, my commission was executed in gene- ral, much to the satisfaction of my employer, who could not but observe with what rapidity his busi- ness progressed under my strenuous management. The young lady, on whose account solely I lin- gered in her father’s employ, was remarkably hand- some ; of easy access, and of a winning deportment ; these fascinating qualities impelled me to pay her my devoirs with assiduity, which, at length, gained her affections so entirely, that with her fortune, I make no question, as well as person, might have remain- ed at my disposal. Meantime I fared like a prince ; for my enamorata supplied me abundantly with every gratification that imagination could suggest or heart desire. It seemed as if I had found, at last the horn of plenty, and that the cup of pleas- ure and prosperity was fondly presented to my lips. Yet it was not in the allotment of fate, that my so- licity should be of long continuance ; for anon it will be seen, that both horn and cup vanished as a phantasma, or the fleeting image of a nightly dream, leaving nought but regret behind.

HENRY TUFTS. 155

I now learnt that my mistress was a young wi- dow, who had been married to a young gentleman of some repute ; but that her partner had died, (herself childless) within two years of their union. She now appeared desirous of a new husband ; wherefore, as our intimacy increased, she shew the fondest desire that I should carry my end of the marriage yoke, and settle in that part of the coun- try ; but, as if controlled by some invisible power, I declined the (perhaps advantageous) proffer, and frankly acknowledged myself within the matrimo- nial pale already. This objection, she considered as trivial, and sought to allure me by holding up to view the prospect of future riches and happiness ; averring that she was an only child, and sole heir- ess to her father’s plentiful estate, who, she said, was too far advanced in years, to encourage the hope of his much longer survival. But, after all, her persuasions were ineffectual, since I had deter- mined to quit the precincts, and that at no distant period. Her aged sire being afflicted with a complication of infirmities, I acquainted him, that the practice of physic had been sometimes my favorite employ- ment ; making him a tender of my services, for that purpose. The information was agreeable, hav- ing long submitted to the care of the faculty, in vain ; he therefore employed me as a family phy- sician, during my after residence at his house. About two months after my first acquaintance with his family, I met with an unwelcome sur- prise, owing to one Lieut. Mooney’s sudden arrival at the house. He was a waggoner to the army, and had known me from infancy, egg and bird. I

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was in momentary expectation of his divulging something to my disadvantage, but as he did not, my fears on that score were unnecessary. Before his leaving the place, I had a private conference with him, and obtained his firm promise of inviola- ble secrecy, as to my situation and character. Af- ter the above incident, I tarried with my dulcinea a month longer, during which my felicity seemed incapable of further augmentation ; but at the end of these delicious days, I acquainted her, that the critical posture of my affairs demanded a speedy return to Newhampshire. At this news, being in- finitely averse to my departure, she was much af- fected ; but I assured her the urgency was absolute ; so I settled with her sire, and received the arrear of wages yet my due ; which done, I took an affec- tionate, though reluctant farewell of the young lady, who, in all things, had proved my kind benefac- tress, as well as indulgent mistress. At parting she presented me with a handful of dollars, besides many other tokens of her affection, all which, save the money, I preserved for some time subsequent. Having separated myself from the enchanting spot, in which the god of love had so held me in silken chains, I prosecuted a continuation of my journey, till it brought me to Lee ; where I had the pleasure of finding my family in as decent plight, at least, as at the commencement of my late eccentric tour. Tarrying but a few days at home, I set out on a pedestrian expedition to Vermont. But previous to departure, I had picked up, by chance, the small claww of a lobster, which I informed the people, as I passed along, was an enchanted horn ; by virtue

HENRY TUFTS. 157

of which I could predict future events ; but that, unfortunately, I had lost another horn, its counter- part, to which had been attached the rare property of enabling its possessor to foretel past events. This ridiculous tale was accredited by many ; I there- fore, gained much celebrity, as a conjuror ; some- times my fees amounting to eight shillings in an evening. In this journey I passed through a con- siderable portion of Vermont, going thence, in a circuitous route, through the Pigwacket country, and then directly home. I next visited Litchfield ; but a rumour prevail- ing, that I was a deserter from the army, caused sundry people to concert schemes of seizing me by surprise. Of this, a certain friend gave me, under the rose, a suitable item, and advised my immedi- ate decampment, unless I preferred bondage. This seasonable hint, induced my speedy flight ; but, before making good my retreat, I discerned several men on horseback, riding at a smart rate. By their behaviour, it was clearly manifest, that moor I must be the object of their eager pursuit ; yet, to escape by flight, I knew to be difficult, if not im- possible, as the troopers were already in plain sight. Which way to turn, on so sudden an emergency, or what measures to adopt, seemed no easy matter to devise. It happened that I was travelling, at the moment, by the side of a stone wall, enclosing an orchard ; so, the more effectually to deceive my pursuers I fell to patching up a part of the wall, which had been thrown down by people, who had passed that way after apples. Presently the horse- men drew near, but seeing me so busily engaged, they indulged no idea of my being the object of O

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search ; they only made inquiry, whether I had seen a stranger pass by, within the last hour. I answered, as was my duty, not negatively ; and affirmed that he ahd passed along a few minutes since, and had taken the road leading to the river bridge, which was distant about a mile. Without lingering to propound further interrogatories, they clapped spurs to their horses, and away they tilted, Jehu like, as if in the most pressing hurry, and cer- tain of their object. Soon as their absence gave me leave, I quitted my assumed exercise, and cut through fields and pastures, woods and bogs, with- out stop or stay, till I found a retreat of greater personal security. Afterwards I strolled from pillar to post ; but was in perpetual fear of being apprehended and carried to the army, in the dangerous quality of a deserter. At this period, a gentleman offered me a suit of blazing red clothes, at a very cheap rate ; they being, indeed, a little the worse for wear. In want of apparel, I inconsiderately closed the bar- gain, but soon found, as ” red coat,” carried terror in the sound, that the singularity of my dress ex- cited great notice, wherever I ventured to appear. Still sheer necessity compelled my wearing the in- auspicious suit, because I had, at that time, no change of raiment, save an old frock and trowsers. At length visiting Plastow, I was again recogniz- ed, and one Johnson, a military officer, undertook my apprehension. By this man, I was industrious- ly tracked from house to house, and from place to place, and, more than once, had like to have been made the dupe of his artifices. To elude observa- tion, I stripped off the red coat and tied it up in a

HENRY TUFTS. 159

bundle, weaving the frock and trowsers over my other apparel. By this expedient I escaped much notice ; yet was obliged to travel, principally, un- der the shroud of darkness, and to lodge in the woods and barns. But in spite of this precaution my active pursuer had like to have caught me at last ; for hearing that I much frequented a certain obscure swamp in Plastow, he was induced to ex- plore it thoroughly. I lay concealed near its bor- der, without knowledge of the search, till Johnson, with his adjutant, had drawn so near, as to render secret flight altogether impracticable. Before they espied me, I took out a jacknife, and fell to cutting withes, as if to repair an old fence near the envi- rons of the wood. My pursuers saw me at work, and drew near ; but as I was dressed in the frock and trowsers, and personally unknown to both, they had no suspicion of my being the delinquent. We conversed together, for some time, and talked much concerning Tufts, whom they pronounced a bad man, and a fellow whom they alloted to capture, at all events. After this they marched off ; and I instantly, also, quitted Plastow, making no halt, ex- cept to refresh my body with food, and my weary limbs with occasional repose, till I reached my own castle. But in Lee I found my exchange of quarters had been from bad to worse, for I was now more sedu- lously persecuted than ever, insomuch, that I was forced to take refuge, at last, in my brother Thomas Tufts’ house. At this era of the revolution, there existed the greates exigency for men to recruit the army, which was the main reason, I presume, of my being hunted with such obstinate pertinacity.

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I had enjoyed my brother’s hospitality but a short period, ere the people of Lee discovered the sanctuary I had chosen, and came, twenty or more, to arrest the obnoxious culprit. My brother espy- ing them, directed me to flee to the woods with all speed, as the only possible means of eluding their vigilance. The band was formidable, being armed with every kind of weapon, and already within pis- tol shot ; so that I was glad to flee with the utmost precipitancy. Luckily, I made out to escape through a back window ; to reach unseen, the neighboring woods, and to conceal myself in the obscurity of a thicket. After they had sufficiently ransacked the house, from top to bottom, to no purpose, they made to- ward the skirts of the wood, and two of the com- pany, Tuttle and Frost, happened to steer directly to the place of my concealment. The rest of the party had taken a different circuit, and were re- moved from them, at least a quarter of a mile. Soon as I found myself discovered, I hastily arose, and pulling out a brace of pistols, which I was rarely without, cocked both, and told Tuttle and Frost, I would shoot the first man who attempted to stir, or give the least alarm. As they both were destitute of guns, and sadly intimidated at the out- rageous menaces I uttered, they thought it most prudent to comply with my injunctions. Detain- ing my guests, till the rest of the scout were a good distance ahead, I permitted their departure ; but no sooner were they out of sight, than I made the best of my way to another coppice, near Packer’s falls, in the recesses of which I carefully concealed myself till evening.

HENRY TUFTS. 161

Sequestered in this woody labyrinth, from all human intercourse, I had leisure to brood over former calamities, and the infelicity of my present situation. Whithersoever I turned my eyes, to the right hand or the left, I still beheld industri- ous adversaries ready to seize and deliver me into the hands of inexorable justice. I was conscious, that my person and flagrant misdemeanors were known and reprobated so generally, as to preclude the hope of my abiding in safety, near the place of my nativity. Even a reformation of life and man- ners could have little tendency, I supposed, after such a series of enormities, to re-establish my credit or reputation. All thoughts, therefore, of present amendment I cast away as useless, and as a task too unpromising, too arduous even to attempt, much less accomplish. Upon the whole, I felt a disincli- nation for every laudable pursuit, and a disposition to travel on in my former dissolute courses ; for, real- ly, my sufferings, though severe, had not cured my vicious propensities, nor had the school of ad- versity, though bitter, taught me the salutary doc- trine of repentance. Thus did I pass the hours, till the shades of night enveloped the face of things, and invested my person with a sort of invisibility. Whither, after all, to shape my course, I wist not ; for hor- ror and despondency had engrossed my imagina- tion, and operated, as a deadly weight, to clog the wheels of useful enterprise ; yea, to plunge me more deeply, more irreversibly, into the abyss of depravity and woe. To abide longer in this wretched spot, without sustenance, I found physically impossible. Already o 2

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the calls of nature had become querulous, and pointed out the necessity of instant removal ; I therefore left the thickets, and repaired to the house of a friend, where having quieted the crav- ings of appetite, I commenced a solitary journey toward the east. Loaded with mental discouragements, I rambled from place to place ; intending however, to gain a subsistence without submission to the drudgery of labour. To effect this I travelled as an Indian Physician, and had recurrence, also, to every other artifice and device within the sphere of my in- vention. As I passed through Kennebunk, one of my quondam associates delivered me a bundle of clothes to carry a mile or two, and deposit at a certain house. Very innocently, I undertook the trust, but had discharged the freight scarcely a second, when I perceived a group of people, com- ing with hue and cry, in quest of the thief. The goods had been stolen, it seems, the very day I re- ceived them, and the owner, by some means or other, had gotten upon the right tract. As I was particularly wishful of avoiding entanglements at this ill-boding conjuncture, I slipped out of doors, took advantage of leg-bail, and sped to the deep coverts, eluding by which means those industrious thief-takers. Quite disgusted with wandering thus on foot, I contrived to appropriate a horse, which I rode a number of miles, under the screen of darkness ; but on the approach of day-light, thought it most advisable to secrete him in the bushes, till the ad- vent of the next evening should again favour my

HENRY TUFTS. 163

retreat. At a good distance from the road I found a station, in which it was presumable I might pass the day unmolested. I had also reclined at my ease upon a hillock, and was preparing to take a nap, when suddenly I was startled at the sight of a man, running toward me with much velocity. Unable to hide, unwilling to flee, I sprang on end, and threw myself into a posture of defence ; but it turned out in the sequel, that he was only in pursuit of a runaway cow. This was better than expectation ; yet as the man had seen me with the horse, I thought my greater safety would be in flight ; so, quitting all, I sped off with the greatest swiftness. What became of the horse I never knew, yet have little doubt of his being recovered by the legal owner. After strolling a field a while longer, I even haz- arded an approximation to Lee ; and, when within about twenty miles of that town, accidentally fell in with a daughter of Love, whom I found pro- pitious to my warmest wishes. The first three weeks I was rarely absent, night or day from her bewitching company, proving to my satisfaction in that interim, (if the thing needed proof) that,

” In soft battles I could pass the night, And rise next morning, vig’rous for the fight, Fresh as the day, and active as the light,” [bracketed]

I had serious thoughts of pulling the matrimoni- al noose, with this young Doxy, to which she ap- peared most amorously inclined ; but, at last, I formed an opinion, natural to every capacity, that, to enter Hymen’s soft domains, within so short a distance of Lee, would be a procedure too perilous for experiment.

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While engaged in this amour I casually contract- ed some little acquaintance with one Ebenezer Hubbard, a straggling adventurer, whom I perceiv- ed to be a bird of my own feather. Our meeting accelerated the dereliction of my new mistress ; whose personal charms had otherwise, commanded the devoirs of her humber servant a longer period. Hubbard and I agreed to commence a career of larceny, in concert and to share the profits jointly. Our first essay commenced at Durham, where we eased George Frost, of the trouble of a horse ; and, when passing through a part of Vermont, dis- posed of him to one Daniel Elridge, of Pownald. Frost, gathering some information of this circum- stance, went to Vermont, and persuaded Elridge to surrender the property. However I was detain- ed by the latter to respond damages, and rather than controvert the affair, I engaged to apy thirty- dollars and a yoke of oxen, as the mean of aviod- ing worse consequences. Hubbard being unable to make remittances, and both being considered as holden by the law of firms and copartnership, the burden fell principally upon my shoulders, reducing me thereby to a piti- ful strait ; I was enabled, however, in the end, by one means or another, to clear the incumbrance, and thus obtained a dismission. Hubbard and I then resorted to Lee, where, on account of the late unlucky disaster, we were re- duced to the very lowest ebb. I was in favour of dissolving partnership, but Hubbard opposed the idea. For whatever reasons he was averse from quitting my company, so I gave up the point, and set out with my auxiliary for the purpose of break-

HENRY TUFTS. 165

ing open and robbing, in the neighborhood, a ful- ling-mill. This we accomplished, and acquired by the means of a quantity of milled cloth, which we conveyed to Lee, and secreted in my father’s field. The losers naturally mistrusted Hubbard & Tufts, and, on instant search mad, succeeded in securing us both. We were separated forthwith, when Hub- bard, being threatened by some, and coaxed by others, had the simplicity to confess every fact, and to reveal where the cloth lay concealed. The owners, meeting with such brilliant success, both in finding their property, and in detecting the aggres- sors, conducted us triumphantly before a justice of the peace, who awarded our commitment to Exeter jail. The court happened to be then in session, we were tried out of hand, and sentenced to receive twenty lashes a piece, which order was executed, without mercy. The residue of our punishment was to lie in durance twenty days, and then to be sold for damages and in the event of non-pay- ment, cost. The penalty of imprisonment, we satisfied in its fullest extent ; for, as no man in his senses would purchase such kind of trumpery, as were a brace of condemned malefactors ; our dismission was the consequence. Luckily for my health, none of the officers of the Bay State, as Massachusetts was then called, (for there had been my three years’ enlistment) nor any of their obsequious tools, happened to come along during my confinement. I say, luckily, since had their old master, the devil, sent any of them to Exeter, at this crisis, it is more than pro- bable, that, in lieu of a dismission, I had been taken

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into custody, and forwarded to the army. It was not long, however, before I met with fresh disturb- ance on the score of desertion, in consequence of which I was obliged to leave house and home, and betake myself to precipitate flight. The first place I halted at, for any length of time, was Canterbury ; this being a country town, I felt here a reasonable degree of confidence. One day, being at work with a farmer in his field, I shewed him a method, recentlhy invented, by myself, of playing upon three pompion vines at a time, so as to make a kind of melody, not indeed music, though consisting of such a variety of strange harmonious jargonic sounds, in combination, as might, at a distance, be thought to resemble har- mony ; the larger vine carrying a sort of bass, and the smaller ones, tenor and treble. Those sounds, in a still night, may bea heard, very distinctly, at the distance of a mile or more. As it happened, the night ensuing was pretty dark, so the man, to whom was imparted the above secret, and myself, out of sheer mischief, agreed to travel the rounds, in order to astonish the inhabit- ants, by blowingaupon the vines. To this end we furnished ourselves with a suitable apparatus, and away we hied, ” whistling as we went,” and making such a wonderful chime, that the very woods rung again, and Orpheus himself might have listened. The inhabitants of Canterbury, naturally supersti- tious, were one and all, in a most dismal amaze- ment, as appeared the following day. Some con- cluded the sounds must proceed from trumpets, others said it was warlike music in the air, betoken- ing war and bloodshed ; while a third class verily

HENRY TUFTS. 167

believed, that the great day of judgment was at hand. After we had sounded a general alarm, and spent a deal of unnecessary breath, we returned to our quarters, sufficiently wearied, indeed, with the ex- traordinary exercise. The next day the wole town was in a ferment, some running hither, some thither, till at length the greater part had assembled at one place, and a religious meeting was held on the gloomy occasion. From a taste for novelty I attended the curious scene, and hardly ever witnessed such a stir among a set of quaking enthusiasts, in my life. The tre- mor was universal, many crying out, ” What shall I do to be saved ?” in fine, there was a great re- formation, as it was called, and it lasted for the space of six months.

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CHAP. VI.

Tippies ! to your lovely lasses, Kindly pledge the brimming bowl ; Nought pure love and wine surpasses ; Or so raps the jocund soul. Should tomorrow bring vile trouble, Look for comfort from your purse, Know content, makes pleasure double ; Banish care, life’s foulest curse.

---

LEAVING Canterbury, I hastened to Old Wells, where I met with a jolly shoemaker. At the pressing instance of this laughing son of Crispin, I went home with him, to share, in his company, a bowl or two of grog. While at his house I scraped acquaintance with a tempting daughter of Venus, to whom I warmly paid my addresses, under a borrowed name. Oft, ere this, had it been my fortune, to stoop to the dominion of the fair sex ; the fascinating charms of my new mistress again riveted her fickle captive in voluntary chains. Three weeks rolled away, in this courtship, and to complete the luxury of the scene, I fared most sumptuously, though at the ex- pence of my own purse. I may say, in this place, with the greatest propriety,

With the joys of great Bacchus I quicken’d each sense, Till my guineas and pounds were transmuted to pence ; In the arms of my mistress, entranc’d ev’ry night, I pass’d the soft moments in am’rous delight.

At the end of these three weeks, it occurred to my relection, that I had far outstaid my time ; and

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what was worse, that my full purse had dwindled to the mere dwarf and skeleton of its former glory. This was no pleasing consideration, to be sure ; yet I was loth to forego my delicious banquet. The pret- ty minx had entirely engrossed my affections, at least, for the moment ; I therefore dreaded to sound a retreat from her tender embraces. Accordingly, I prolonged my stay till the end of a few more days, by which time the terrors of personal insecurity gained such entire ascendancy over the softer sens- ations, that I gave way to the dictates of prudence, and hastened my departure from Wells. The thoughts of my late mistress were soon erad- icated from my breast, by the intervention of new cares and new adventures, more especially, by my return to Lee, which took place within a fortnight after I had quitted her society. At home, however, I was no better than a nuis- ance, since, fearful of being seen, I could earn noth- ing ; I therefore, took an opportunity to obtain, without saying, ” by your leave,” a complete mare from the enclosure of a neighbor, who must be nameless. I rode but a few furlongs before meet- ing with a man of my acquaintance, whom, though the night was gloomy, I recognized ; but as he had not the slightest knowledge of me, I jogged secure- ly on, intending to reach No. 4, then so called, in the first instance. On the way thither a suitable chance occurred of turning the mare for cash, which I seized, and then proceeded on foot. At Fishersfield, fifteen mmiles northeast of No. 4, I put up at a tavern for the night ; but, through my inadvertency, a glimpse of the well fraught purse (the fruits of my late adventure) was caught, P

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accidentally, by mine host of the garter, at the mo- ment of my supplying him with a small matter of change. In the evening I took notice, that he drank im- moderately ; insomuch, that it was quite late, ere we had permission to retire to rest. I had been in bed, as I conjectured, upwards of an hour, whe I overheard people whispering in the adjoining room. Listening awhile, I imagined the conversation to be between the landlord and his spouse ; it appear- ed they were in a kind of dispute about something, though I heard scarce enough of the subject to con- jecture what. At length, elevating their tones to a more audible pitch, I heard the woman say say dis- tinctly, ” That won’t do, for such a thing can never be hid.” ” Hold your damn’d tongue (retorted the man) and let me alone.” This uttered, they con- versed again in so low a key, that it was impossible to guess at the purport ; though the accents of the landlady resembled those of lamentation. Soon after I conceived her to be weeping. This made me conjecture, that I was the subject of altercation ; and that the landlord had predetermined some scheme of robbery, or perhaps murder. Those thoughts weighed so powerfully on my imagina- tion, that, instantly, I should have quitted the hor- rid mansion, if the thing had been morally practi- cable ; but since it was not, I saw no remedy, but to lie still, and watch while morning ; if, haply, I should remain undisturbed, till then. However, this dubious scene existed but a few minutes, ere I overheard some one busy at the kitchen fire, as if in the act of raking up embers ; and, quickly after, the landlord entered my apartment with a

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massy fire shovel in his fist, the weapon being held in a proper position to give a decisive blow. He advanced toward my bedside (for by the light of the moon through the casement, I could see dis- tinctly) with cautious steps. My pistols, were also ready, at the moment ; intending, therefore, to give my assailant the handsomest reception, I sprung on end, and aiming one of those speedy messengers of destruction toward his breast, bade him advance an inch further, and I would sacrifice him to Dagon. At this unexpected salute, he stopt short, which gave me time to convince him, that I was armed, and should certainly take his life, if he attempted the least mischief ; but in case he preferred an ar- mistice, and going to bed, it would be well, other- wise I should bonsider him an assassin, and deal with him accordingly. As the villain thought to have caught me napping, he was unprepared for opposi- tion ; and seeing little else than hard blows for his encouragement, he grew sick of the unpromising enterprise. Thus situated, he began to apologize, begging me to overlook his misconduct, or to im- pute it to the effects of strong drink, which he de- clared, had overwhelmed his natural reason. Be- ing willing to admit of any excuses, however spe- cious, to be once rid of the troublesome rascal, I told him I could pardon the whole, on condition of uis using me with civility for the future. This he promised, protesting I should live like a king, with- out money or price, let my stay at his house be ever so lengthy. Thus ending without bloodshed, this extraordi- nary affair, the landlord withdrew to his own lodg- ing, making no further disturbance till morning ;

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but for my life I was unable to tranquilize my spirits, so as to obtain the least quiet repose. This was a night prolific of terrors, for, in the course of it, I experienced another alarm, which turned out, in the end, to be nothing but an old horse, that came beating about the house in search after salt, or some such savoury article. In the morning, early, I arose from my pillow of thorns, and the landlord, as a kind of compensa- tion for his nocturnal disturbances, entertained me, scot free, uppon the very best his house afforded ; but as soon as I had taken breakfast, and regaled sufficiently, I bade adieu to the detested spot, and resumed my circuitous rambles. Having passed through Number four, I wheeled to the right about ; came, in a short time to Not- tingham, and soon arrived at Hampton-Falls. Here I wheeled away a large dog, and sold him near Newbury, for ten shillings ; but had crossed the Ferry, scarce twenty minutes, when the dog re- turned to me by swimming. I ventured into a house in Newburyport, and sold him a second time for six shillings, good money ; then taking the road to Bradford, I went on about two minutes, when my faithful dog again overtook me. At Bradford I parted with him a third and last time, for about one dollar more ; so that, on the hole, my trusty dog turned to a pretty good account. I halted at Bradford just long enough to replenish with food, when my journey was renewed with increased ar- dor, adopting a sort of disguise, and altering my name, frequently, with a view to baffle pursuit. One day I called into a gentleman’s house who happened to know me, and who, had heard much

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of my (ill) fame. This man was possessed of a valuable horse, which I examined with some atten- tion. Noticing this, he enquired if I coveted the animal ; my answer being in the positive, he pro- ceeded in the following strain : ” This horse I keep closely locked up, and guarded by sentries every night ; so, if you can make out to steal him, you shall be ex- tremely welcome, and never be called to account for so doing.” I could not but marvel as much at this de- claration, as at the very prudent care the gentle- man took of his horse ; but, on further enquiry, I discovered that he had himself bought him of a thief, and that, being apprehensive of a clandestine visit from the primitive owner, he had taken the above precautions to secure his purchase. Feeling somewhat nettled, as a gentleman of my profession would, at being bantered thus, I resolved to execute some stratagem for the attainment of the horse : I went away, and procuring a quart bottle of rum, and adding a suitable quantity of opium, tarried till late in the evening : I then drew near the sta- ble, where I knew the courser must be. Here I was hailed by a couple of servant men, who de- manded my motives for travelling at that season of the night. I told them that the object of my pur- suit was a thief, named Henry Tufts, who had stolen my horse ; but that I believed I had gotten already in advance of him. They said they had frequent- ly heard of that gentleman, and that he was ac- counted the greatest knave and most arrant horse- thief in all that country. Our dialogue growing familiar, I finally con- cluded to make a halt in this place, that Tufts might arrive. Meantime I expressed a desire to p 2

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purchase a little rum to cheer my spirits that cold evening ; but being told that none could be attain- ed in that quarter ; without more ceremony I took out my bottle, and tasting of the contents, offered it to my new acquaintance, who received the gra- tuity with cordiality. Upon the whole, making a quick dispatch of the liquid, I could but admire at its sudden effects, which were such, that immedi- ately my pot-companions were both stretched on the ground, encircled in the arms of Morpheus. By searching their pockets I found the key of the sta- ble, which I unlocked and directly had the pleasure of fixing myself on the back of a very fine horse. Avoiding the glare of day, I rode him a night or two, till, being out of harm’s way, I exchanged him for another horse, and received as boot, thirty- five dollars in ready cash. This last horse I sold for forty dollars more ; and, with the property, made a speedy decampment. Thus, my late un- dertakings, however villainous, had been successful : but fickle fortune had now like to have turned the scale ; for, at this juncture, I came within an ace of being detained, as a deserter by a certain Lieuten- ant belonging to the army ; from whose fangs I luckily escaped. Hitherto, I have been, perhaps, tediously minute in the description of this journey ; to make amends, gentle reader, I will tell thee a story, I hope, more diverting, though connected with the foregoing events. Feeling a degree of exultation at the sight of my pecuniary successes, I purchased an elegant suit of wearing apparel, a laced hat and embroidered waistcoat with other articles of equal value. To

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these I added rings of gold, to adorn my dainty fingers, and a costly watch to decorate my fob. In this splendid garb, I continued my travels as far as the town of Hudson, in New-York. Here, one night, I took shelter in a house, in which were two young ladies, the one as Rachel, very beautiful, the other as Leah, not only tender eyed, but, whose whole contour of physiognomy was irregular, un- couth and forbidding, to a proverb. I scraped some acquaintance with both ; but felt the most irresist- able inclination to make the more beautiful miss my companion for the night. As it fell out, we all three lodged in the second story of the house, though in separate apartments. Unable to conquer my insatiable desire, I even mustered courage, with silent steps, to invade the precincts of the hand- somest damsel ; and had the supreme felicity to find her so far from obstinacy, that at the first sum- mons she surrendered the castle, and admitted a friendly parley, till morning. Even yet, O, mem- ory, thou presentest to view, this feast of love, as of yesternight ; how delighted, how transported was I, with the elegant person of my fine compan- ion ! the hours passed away in transports of ec- stacy unutterable ; nor was the potent charm dis- solved till Phoebus shot his officious beans through the casement, and imparted to my, till now intoxi- cated senses, a view of surrounding objects. But paint now in imagination, who can, my surprise, my confusion, when I saw myself encircled in the arms of the ill-favoured, the rejected damsel, in close contact, with the same bundle of deformity, whom I had contemplated with such cold indiffer- ence, such killing disgust, the preceding evening.

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The scene was truly farcical ; I was planet struck ; what surprise she noticed in my aspect, I pretended not to say ; but she demanded with a sarcastic sneer, whether I had been deceived in my partner, I answered that I had been confoundedly so.– ” See, cried she, the force of imagination.” Her log- ic was irrefragable ; but, as I wished, for cogent reasons, to wave further discussion, I quitted the house abruptly ; and upon revolving in my mind, as I paced the street, the ludicrous adventures of the night, came to the following resolution ; never to differ with a wife, much less a mistress, upon so light and trivial a consideration, as the want of ex- ternal beauty. The present journey was long and intricate. In the course of it I visited the high lands near West Point, and had the mortification to see a number of Pennsylvania riflemen receive one hundred lashes each, as a punishment for the rescue of some prisoners. From West Point my rambles were vague and fortuitous, till I reached Vermont. Having, passed through a portion of that state, the whim took me to visit, in rotation, the town of Claremont, to gain sight, if possible, of Sally Judd, my former mis- tress and almost wife. The delightful scenes I had passed in her company, recurred afresh to my re- collection, and induced a secret with, that similar scenes might again occur ; but of this there was no present prospect, nor could I expect to renew a connection, which had thus long been dissolved. At Claremont I put up at Spencer’s tavern, and having money sufficient for present exigencies, allotted to tarry in the place several days. Sally

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and her friends were the object of my earliest in- quisition. I learnt that she still remained unwed- ded, and resided, as formerly at her father’s house. I had a peculiar fancy to see and converse with her ; but, in truth, had not the effrontry to ap- proach her father’s dwelling, so that, should I meet her at all, it must be, I supposed, by mere ac- cident. The day after my arrival at Spencer’s came in a stranger, a genteel, well looking man, who, on com- mitting his steed to the hoostler, assumed a seat near mine ; we entered into familiar conversation. His deportment was affable and engaging, and his ap- pearance that of a man of sense and information. He tarried in my company till near night, and then talked of the prosecution of his journey. I hinted, that, as the close of the day was so near at hand, to travel far must be out of the question ; and that, consequently, he had better postpone his departure till morning. In return, he observed, that his ab- sence from home had been tedious, and that still he had a lengthy journey to perform ; that having but little money to defray expences, diligence, in his circumstances, became a matter of expediency. If that be the case, (said I) as you are a stranger, and must need be in want of refreshment, if you choose to stop here I will discharge your reckoning with pleasure. He finally concluded to tarry, and thanked me in handsome terms for my civility. The hours passed agreeably till bed time, when the new guest proposed our sleeping in the same bed. I could have no objections, so having retired to rest, we resumed the theme of our former con- versation. Our intimacy improving, he enquired,

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whether he might venture to entrust me with a secret ? I replied, that he might, without the least scruple, even if it concerned his life. This being settled, he told me ” his name was Whiting ; that he had long been an agent for the British, who had now employed him as an emissary to explore the country, and circulate couterfeit money. That, as Congress had issued a paper medium to raise armies, and pay off their troops, it import- ed their adversaries to discredit the currency as effectually as possible. And, as such large quan- tities of paper, had been emitted already, the speediest way to effect the entire dissolution of that system was to inundate the country with coun- terfeit bills. I have now with me, a large sum, in money, of that description, executed in a very masterly manner, and can supply you in the morning with a competent sum, if you think you can pass it to advantage.” I thanked him for his liberality, and confessed I should be glad of a small quantity, which I had no scruple of putting off without difficulty. This was the substance of our evening discourse ; agreeably to which, the next morning, before leav- ing the chamber, he counted me out upwards of one thousand dollars. I expressed some anxiety, lest it might discommode him to part with so con- siderable a sum ; but he replied ; ” No, no, I can spare it very well, as I have, now, fifty thousand dollars in my pocket. However, I should be glad of a little silver to discharge bills, at particular places, and if you could supply me with a trifle, I should esteem it a great favour.” As I was pleased at the opportunity of requiting, in some

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measure, my benefactor, I handed him three dol- lars, for which I had his peculiar thanks. This important business being adjusted, we de- scended into the parlour, and joined the rest of the company. Mr. Whiting staid to breakfast, and then took his leave ; but never, since that morning, have I had the satisfaction to behold his face. On the same day of my receiving the spurious bills, couriosity [sic] prompted me to make experiment of their currency. On trial, I found not the slight- est difficulty in passing them. Indeed my bills were such an exact imitation of the genuine ones, that a man must have had more penetration than ordinary, to had discerned the slightest difference. I now found that my new fund of money would turn, doubtless, to good account ; yet, as it daily depreciated, I supposed it my wisest course to lay out a considerable quantity of it the first opportu- nity. Accordingly I purchased a good horse, a new suit of clothes, and materials for a complete suit of female apparel : the last I sent, as a present, to poor Sally, accompanied with a message, that I wished to see and converse with her before leaving the vicinity. She accepted the offer with grati- tude. I intended this offering as some kind of atonement for the damage her character had suf- stained through my means. A day or two after this, hearing that Sally was on a visit at a neighbour’s house, I went to see her. Our interview was interesting ; I attempted an apology for former transgressions, but my excuses did not obviate the severity of her censures. After a lengthy conference, in which were discussed our former concerns, I took leace, to present her at

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parting with fifty of those very dollars which I had received of Whiting. Thus, having negociated [sic] at Claremont the busi- ness nearest my heart, I meditated a sudden re- moval ; bidding, therefore, adieu to all, I mounted my nag, and departed from the neighbourhood. I had not travelled many miles before I had the ad- dress to traffick away my horse for money and goods ; which articles I transported like an honest man, to my own family, well knowing they must be thrice welcome there. Not daring to abide long at Lee ; the dread I yet entertained of being seized and transmitted to the army, operated so forcibly, I hastened to Ber- wick, and was hospitably entertained by one War- ren. This man was prodigiously in debt, and hav- ing to take every precaution to keep clear of exe- cutions, his house became the fittest receptacle I possibly could have chosen, in this region. As it fell out, my stay was protracted, at Warren’s, for twenty days together; this happened in consequence of a courtship I then managed with a young wo- man, resident at his house. In all probability I should have hazarded another Hymeneal tug, had not the proximity of my sparrow’s residence to old Lee, prevented that measure. She, in fact, made marriage the sine qua non [acc] of our intimacy ; I therefore chose to decamp, and leave my amorous charmer to pick up a spark, less strongly tramelled, for her husband. From Berwick, I came to Dover, the land of alewives, lawyers and clay ; where, being tempted to steal a horse, I improvidently conveyed him to Lee. Here a certain man (whose name needs not

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repetition) who was always very busy in the im- portant office of detecting thieves, transacting how- ever, occasionally, himself a little of their appro- priate business : this wiseacre, forsooth, blood- hound like, dogged me so narrowly, that he dis- covered the stolen horse, and wrested him forcibly from my hands. After which, the same puppy, not content, with his present success, and envious of my prosperity in the rule of Thumb, hunted me so perseveringly, that I was glad to abscond, or do worse. In the course of my flight, I once more met with my quondam associate James Smith ; who being also, a deserter, and forced to play hide nad go seek, we consorted together, and transacted the same bu- siness in co. Our joint petit larcenies supplied the greater part of our sustenance at this season ; remedying, however, any contingent deficiency with the money I had received of Whiting, which, by the time, had dwindled already, to a pretty diminutive sum. It was late in the autumn 1780, when this acci- dental recontre, with my fellow laborer, took place. We had been descried in company repeat- edly, and were of course put to our trumps to keep out of harm’s way, being forced to lodge in barns and sometimes even in the forests ; although the earth was covered with snow, and the atmosphere extremely cold. In this despicable manner, we rambled from one haunt to another, till we reached Allentown, where fear and necessity induced our abiding in the woods altogether. We had provided fireworks, however, with which we could kindle a flame, to seethe our Q

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viands, and a hatchet, that sufficed to erect a shel- ter, to screen us from the inclement season. As these woods were solitary, and rarely pressed by the foot of man, we had little apprehension of disturbance ; and by traversing a few miles every second or third night, we made shift to procure such store of turkies, geese, pigs and other eatables, as precluded any pressing lack of food. One even- ing we took a beehive, from a Mr. Batchelder, and conveyed it, entire, to our place of resort. My companion and I were much tickled with this ac- quisition ; and upon the honey, regaled more de- liciously than we had for a long time before. Af- ter supper we reclined, as usual, by a small fire, and for a few hours, steeped our senses in the softest forgetfulness. Hardly had the rays of light streak- ed the chambers of the east, when we shook off the drowsy God, and kindled the willing blaze to warm anew our bestiffened limbs. We had begun also to prepare breakfast by heating, over the cinders, a few fragments of cold fowl, the relics of a former repast; and were musing in melancholy mood up- on the uncheery aspect of our affairs, when sud- denly to our great consternation, we were alarmed by a rustling noise hard at hand, among the bushes. Starting up, and looking whence the sounds vi- brated, we saw the woods full of men, armed cap a pie. That they were in quest of us we could have no doubt ; and on second view we readily discern- ed them to be the people of Allenstown ; who, on account of our depredations on their property, had investigated the place of our retreat, and mustered, en masse, to the tune of thirty or more to take us prisoners.

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With a sudden bound I leaped forward, and, crying out to Smith to flee with all speed, or it would be game up with him, we both took to our heels. Our pursuers, seeing us make off so briskly, set up a great shout, and pressed on with fury. They had received, it seems, strict orders to kill us upon the spot, in case we attempted to flee ; con- sequently, having us in fair sight, and within pistol shot, they all discharged their pieces full in our rear. The balls whizzed about my ears, as thick, in my then multiplying imagination, as hailstones ; yet, fortunately, I survived the leaden tempest un- hurt. Smith too received no other damage than the loss of an earlock, which being separated by a musket ball, dropped down upon his shoulder. So rough a salute was enough to rouse to alertness the dullest of mortals ;–it electrified us in an instant ; and, in as little time, was our every nerve exerted to make good a retreat. Having sustained this heavy fire, thus ungenerously made by the enemy, I was determined never to be taken alive, by the dastardly villains, who occasioned it ; and so peculiar was my reliance on my own dexterity, that I harboured little doubt of escaping in spite of them all. But for my messmate Smith I had some- what, sincerely, to fear, since I found him quite unable to hold pace with me. My prognostica- tions were realized, for, the next minute I had the mortification to see him overhauled and made captive. By the time this was done, I was approaching a narrow but deep rivulet, the surface of which was incrusted with ice ; though of insufficient thickness to bear me over. As I saw no remedy, but to sur-

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render, or cross this stream, I made the hazardous attempt, and passed over at a single leap. The fore- most pursuer was snug at my heels, who, thinking to do the like, gave a sudden bound, but, in lieu of gaining the opposite bank, as intended, he had the misfortune to miss stays, and alight midway the stream. A lucky hit this, for the ice, being thin, broke through, and plump went he to the bottom. His disaster gave me some advantage in the race ; since, most of the company were forced to halt, and lend a hand in relief of the drowning person. The residue of the gang, however, pursued with vigour, and one of them, at this stage of the busi- ness, Johnson by name, a tall, crane-like fellow, with legs as long as maypoles, far outstript his riv- als in the chase. This spindle shanked sneak, was, several times, upsides with me in the race ; but be- ing a gawkish, cowhearted chap, he could not mus- ter resolution to seize upon his prey. Mean time was rescued, from his frigid bath, the unfortunate sufferer ; when, once more, the chace became gen- eral, and continued with ardour, till Johnson, spy- ing his colleagues too far in the rear, thought best to give up the fruitless pursuit, and leave me in possession of a well earned victory. Poor Smith, if I remember right, was conveyed to Exeter, and lodged in prisou [sic] ; but of his after-fortunes, or mis- fortunes, I can give no relation. Allenstown being no longer the land of promise, I set out with diligence for the Kennebec coun- try ; to which, after shunning many perils, and submitting to much hunger and toil, I made out to attain.

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CHAP. VII.

Behold the vagrant ! on he hies, While happiness before him flies : Attach’d to vice, to virtue blind, Misfortunes cannot cure his mind. The wicked, says a well known text, Like troubled seas, and oceans vex’d, Cast miry dirt, as on they sweep, From the low caverns of the deep.

---

IN this interesting tour I passed over a large portion of the eastern territory ; but still dreading to return to my native State, went to Pig- wacket and thence to Saratoga, with full purpose of mind to leave my own country forever, and to reside somewhere in the settlements of Upper Cana- da. From Saratoga, I advanced towards Quebec, and putting up, one night, at a humble cot, received of my entertainer the detail of a tragical event, which took place in that quarter a short time prior to my arrival. Without apology for the episode I shall give it a place here. Three of our countrymen had been hunting, it seems, for several months in the wilderness, north of Saratoga ; when, it happned that one of them, named Abbot, took it into his head, in the absence of his partners, to visit their traps. This was an imprudent step to besure, [sic] because the woods were infested with hostile Indians, who kept the fron- tiers in consternation, and did no small mischief.– Abbot reached the traps unmolested ; but while Q 2

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busied in securing the game, unhappily for him, he was discovered and taken captive by six Indians. The savages soon formed the horrid conclusion of putting their prisoner to a painful and lingering death ; and, in order to execute the infernal pur- pose, led him off to some distance, where having gagged and prostrated the wretched victim on his back, they cut holes through his wrists and heels, between the bones and tendons, in such a manner as to draw metump lines and green withes, through the apertures. Then extending his arms and legs to a degree exquisitely painful, they, with the liga- tures above mentioned, lashed him fast to four small trees ; which bloody exploit finished, those horrid hell-hounds left the writhing sacrifice, and with- drew to a cluster of bushes, with intent to make merry, and enjoy, in idea, the excruciating tortures of the sufferer. Mean while, as Abbot returned not to his anxious companions, they began to be solicitous for his welfare, and set out in quest of him accordingly. Coming to the hunting ground, and not finding whom they sought, they were quite at a loss what route to pursue. But observing the dog, which they had led thus far in a string, to be very urgent for going in a particular direction ; they knew not but something especial might be the cause of his earnestness. They therefore gave him his own humour, and by following the sagacinus animal, as he led the way, came in a few minutes upon their partner Ab- bot, stretched and bound in the above related man- ner. With trembling haste they released him from his horrible confinement ; and, having two guns

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well charged, agreed to venture up within shot of the Indians, whom they now heard at some distance in the height of their rejoicing. Advancing with much caution to a proper station, they made a halt, levelled their pieces, and, at a given signal, both fired at the same instant. To their great satisfac- tion they found that each shot had taken the best possible effect ; four of the tawny rogues were kill- ed outright, and a fifth so crippled, as to be inca- pable of flight. The sixth and only remaining In- dian fled for his life. At this moment our hunters let loosse their faithful dog, which overtook the fu- gitive in a trice, and before they could gain the spot, had destroyed his prey in a manner too shock- ing to relate. These savages reaped the reward of their cruelty, being killed to a man ; but Abbot survived, and is now living, it is said, in the district of Maine. I sojourned several days with the person, who made me this rehearsal ; in which time he gave me such unfavourable accounts of the Canadian terri- tories, and of the severity of their laws and customs, particularly, in the chastisement of offenders, that I grew skittish of consequences, and resolved to shun even the barriers of a country, so rigid in its inter- nal police, as to destroy entirely my favorite schemes. Relinquishing therefore all present ideas of volun- tary expatriation, I shifted my course, went down to number four (now Charlestown) and thence, after the respite of a few days, returned back to Lee. This was, indeed, a trying season ; for as my last excursion had been attended with every loss and expenditure, I had brought home little or nothing to bear my own charges, much less to make glad the hearts of expecting relatives.

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It was immedieately famed abroad that Tufts had returned ; and as former evils existed in abundance, I was obliged to be extremely circumspect to avoid surrounding difficulties. Many were officiously anxious that I should be caught and punished, re- garding me as a pest to society, and my nefarious misdeeds as altogether insufferable. Their perse- verance caused me unceasing solicitude ; I still per- sisted, however, in my former practices, in defiance of public reprobation, or legal menaces. At this juncture an adventurer arrived, John Sanborn by name, a droll, unlucky chap, very light-fingered, but unworthy even of my confidence. In a word : being a man pretty much of my own kidney ; we associated together at all convenient seasons ; my cottage being selected as the place of our common rendezvous. By robbing friends and foes indiscriminately, we became the scourges of the community, while our mischievous pranks, though a source of complaint far and near, afforded us (alas, the depravity of human minds) nought but exultation and triumph. Custom and habit gain ground imperceptibly ; and I may declare from ex- perience, that the farther a man travels in disso- lute courses, the less will be his compunction when deviating fro mthe paths of uprightness. To this effect sings the poet :

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mein, As to be hated needs but to be seen ; But seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”

It will be necessary to pass over, in this place many incidents, which, after so considerable a lapse, I recollect but indistinctly ; and which, though re-

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tained in memory, would be too trivial for recital. The following may claim some attention. One evening, when my ” boon companion,” and myself had been out upon a customary expedition, and were returning homeward richly laden with booty ; chancing to pass by Lieut. John Burleigh’s house, we espied two shirts, as we supposed, sus- pended on a pole for the purpose of drying. With- out so much as asking leave, however light, we made free to snatch both, and hastned to our usual retreat. The next morning, on review of the spoils, we found, that in lieu of two shirts, we had brought home a couple of (the ladies will pardon the experssion) elegant smocks. In want of a shirt each, the disappointment was a little mortifying ; but being in the habit of making even shifts, upon emergency, we thought it not impossible to trans- form a couple of them into as many shirts ; so we agreed to adjourn to the woods to accomplish that purpose. Having procured thread and needles, with other necessary apparatus, away we trudged ; and after some research, finding a secluded spot, that promised complete security from intrusion, down we sat, and commenced the elaborate process. But the rays of the sun falling with a little more in- tensity, than accorded with my feelings, I stripped off coat and waistcoat, and to work we went. Sand- born being himself a piece of a taylor, (a small thing indeed) undertook to be foreman, and as my own father had been the ninth part of a man, by trade, I could sew a pretty tolerable seam ; all which considered, we had little doubt of bringing the bu- siness to a fortunate conclusion. As a beginning, Sandborn cut off a large slice from the bell muzzle

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of each, in order to eke out the sleeves, and fabri- cate a couple of delicate collars with their append- ages. Those pieces were adjusted, after a queer fashion, to the uses designed ; our work went on, to be sure, swimmingly, and was fast approximat- ing to a close, when, suddenly the whole was inter- rupted by the unhoped for appearance of some six or eight men, who had turned out that morning in search after the aggressors. They might be fifty paces distant, when I caught a first glance, as they crept silent, through the bushes ; wishing, there- fore, to take time by the forelock, remembering he was bald behind, I threw aside my unfinished shirt, and took instantly to my heels. Sandborn did the like ; we ran through thick and thin, with the agil- ity of a couple of mountain stags, and were out of sight and hearing in a twinkling. Thus were our sharp sighted neighbors disappointed of their aim, for the present. I was chagrined at the loss of the shirts (or rather shifts) as may be conjectured ; but more so at that of my other garments. The spoils were gathered by the victors, who restored the two smerries, in their mutilated condition, to the prim- itive owners ; who happened to be two young wo- men, then on a visit at the lieutenant’s. It is almost needless to add, that those pretty articles, by passing through our hands, had undergone such a strange metamorphosis, as to be quite useless to the young ladies, as far as it concerned their original destina- tion. The foregoing incident was a matter of mer- riment to as many as heard of it, and the poor girls had to bear a load of railery, for indulging the licentious Tufts in an intimacy of such close con- cern.

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One evening, after the above, as I was passing by Stratham meeting house, it occurred abruptly to my recollection, that I had seen a splendid cushion within, and that it might be of great utility in my forlorn condition ; not reflecting that the horrid crime of sacrilege would then be annexed to the catalogue of my iniquities. I therefore, wheeled up to the church, and without deference to the sanctity of the place, made bold to enter through a ground window. Making prize of the cusion, I conveyed it, in the first instance to Exeter, and there sold the ticking and feathers to a confiden- tial person. The exterior covering, which was green plush, I carried to Lee, and after giving it a different complexion, had it converted into a pair of small clothes, which lasted beyond calculation, and did me eminent service. My next route was to Kingston, where time for refreshment was hardly afforded, before I was seiz- ed, and dragged before a justice’s court, on suspi- cion of purloining a farmer’s calf. The complain- ant averred, that the night before, hearing a dis- turbance at his barn, he repaired thither, and found a thief rummaging his possessions in quest of plun- der ; that he snatched the first weapon that came to hand, being a pitchfork ; that with this he rush- ed forward, and had the luck to drive the prongs so forcibly against the rogue’s forehead, that positively he must have left some bruise or wound ; that the thief then eloped, and the next morning, on search made, one of his calves was missing and no where to be found. Such beign the complainant’s account the court ordered my face and head to be examin- ed ; the result was, that no mark, or even a scratch,

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was any where discernible. Other witnesses were then questioned, but their testimonies not substan- tiating my guilt, a dismission was the consequence. Freed from this embarrassment, I posted away to Greenland, and in concert with another of my cro- nies, set out to break open a shoemaker’s shop (one Pickering’s.) We succeeded in the attmpt, and took possession of half a side of sole, and a like quantity of upper leather, that being the whole we could find in the shop. Both articles we crammed into a sack, and were making off very leisurely, when it was our ill luck to meet with a man on horseback, whom by his speech we discerned to be a Pickering also, and the brother of the one just mentioned. It was too dark for the traveller to know the physiognomy of either of us, and what sprite put it into his noddle, I won’t say, but hea roared out, ” Thieves ! Thieves !” so vociferously, that had he split his throat with the exertion it had been no miracle. I happened to be the Judas just then, and was lugging the bag ; but fearing that his obstrep- erous bellowing might arouse the whole posse, I made neither better nor worse, but flung the sack, stuffed as it was, directly at the horse’s fore legs. The affrighted animal fetched a huge leap, and, stumbling, at the same time, pitched his rider head foremost to the ground ; when, sad to relate ! the bone of his arm was snapped short by the fall. He cried out that he was absolutely killed ; yet I hav- ing no idea of the extent of the tragedy, did not stop to multiply queries, but fled with great precip- itancy, leaving bag and baggage to the finder.

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We travelled apace till coming to a river, which it was needful to cross, in one particular spot, or go a great way about to effect that purpose. Being in a hurry, we concluded to attempt the shortest cut, and therefore plunged abruptly into the current ; but, lo ! my partner sunk instantly to the bottom, for he could swim, it seems, no more than a stone. For my own part Iwas far from being expert at such kind of exercise, yet having practiced a little, and feeling much for the situation of my friend, I ventured to seize him by the arm, and by help of his own exertions, made out to convey him to the opposite bank. This dangerous voyage surmounted, on retrospect of which my very blood congealed with horror, it was our next concern to provide some commodious shelter for the night. To obtain an object so de- sirable we took uncommon pains ; yet, after all, were glad to be content, (wet, cold and hungry as we were,) with rolling up in a little hay or straw, that we found in a farmer’s barn. Here our repose was small, and our reflections uncheering, for of the adventures of the evening we could have little to boast ; we had undergone much fatigue and disquiet, without benefit to our- selves or others, and, spider like, had been worse than idly employed. No sooner had the morning dawned, than I took leave of my companion, crossed over the great bay, in a float, and straight repaired to Lee, the place of my ancient resort. On arrival home, whom should I see but my old accomplice, John Sandborn ; who, like a bad pen- ny, had returned, after an absence of some contin- R

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uance. He had gotten, however, thirty weight of flax, of which he had plundered a kinsman of his ; this article being much needed in my family, I wish- ed to invent some little stratagem for its attainment. With a view to this, I applied to one of my friends, (for of such I was rarely destitute) and acquainted him with my design ; adding, it might easily be effected with a trifle of his assistance. All I, in- deed, wanted of him was to mount his horse, repair to my house betimes the next evening, and enquire for Sandborn, the flax stealer ; leaving the rest to my management. My friend agreed, and fulfilled articles to a nicety ; for about the end of twilight he rode up to my threshold, and, with a loud rap, as if in haste, demanded whether one John Sand- born, the flax stealer, was within. I answered in the negative ; but Sandborn, hearing the inquisi- tion, and thinking to be dragged instantly to justice, whipped out the back door, and fled to the woods, forgetting, in his great hurry to secure even an ounce, of the flax. Wither he sought refuge at that juncture, I wot not, but the flax was appropri- ated to family uses. About this period was completed a collection of necessaries, that had cost me no small time and trouble in preparing. It consisted of a number of augers, with a compass and other saws of various descriptions, calculated to facilitate the breaking through strong holds ; to which were added a va- riety of false and spring keys, so constructed, as to open almost any sort of lock. Those instruments I deposited in several places, in order to have them in readiness upon special occasions. My inducements in providing this resource, resulted not only from

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past experience of their utility ; but from the pro- bability, that yet existed, of my needing such imple- ments in the future ; unless eventually I should culti- vate some emendation of morals, and forsake the illicit game of thieving, of which, at present, I did not see the most remote prospect. I imagine my keys must have been viewed, as a curiosity, by such as were unused to the sight of such rarities ; the con- struction of them, however, is so simple, as to easi- ly be imitated or made by any smith of common ingenuity ; and when judiciously fashioned, are of such extensive application, that one key will fit a great variety of locks. I am positive, that, with this assortment of keys, I could have opened, with- out violence, almost any lock I ever saw ; this I am assured by experience, which is indeed the touchstone of truth. While noticing these particulars, I would observe likewise, that I now kept on hand, or in suitable places of deposit, a variety of paints of different colours ; by means of which, I could so alter the looks of any horse, that the owner must be puzzled to know him again, while the disguise lasted, which was usually a week or more, unless the paint were sooner displaced by hard riding or rainy weather. I also kept on hand, several setts [sic] of cork shoes, covered with sole leather : these I used frequently, to fasten round my horses feet, to prevent the sound of his footsteps being heard : I have often surpriz- ed people, for favorite purposes, by this contri- vance. I also furnished myself with vitriol, aqua fortis, and other corrosive ingredients, to soften or eat away iron. Those liquids I sometimes, carried in

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a phial, tied up in the club of my hair ; while the blades of my compass-saws were frequently conceal- ed between the soles of my shoes. A number of the articles, above enumerated, I confided to the keeping of confidential friends, of whom I had now a connected string, reaching from Newyork, to the District of Maine ; and from thence through Ver- mont to Canada line. But to return : After passing upon Sandborn the imposition above noticed, I took up my abode at the house of one Doe, in Newmarket, and assisted him on hire. This man was in good worldly circumstances, but so distracted, at times, as to be quite incapable of transacting business. I had been more or less ac- quainted with him for a number of years, and had acquired a decent knack at managing his irregular sallies. One day, we went to a pasture, three miles dis- tant, for the purpose of docking a number of Steers ; having made the purposed amputation, and feeling fatigued with the exercise, we called into a house, hard by to rest ourselves. Here taking, in hand, one of the tails, I transformed it, so as to resemble, an elegant false tail ; then in fashion. On our way homeward we called into one Hilton’s, who was absent ; but to his son, a young man, who was at home, I proffered the false tail, for about a dollar. Want of money was his only objection to the pur- chase ; I therefore offered to take corn, which, in- deed was at that time a scarce article. According- ly the young fellow coveting the curiosity, meas- ured me up a bushel and a half of this staff of life, which, throwing upon Doe’s horse, and resigning the dear-bought bubble, I scoured off with all imaginable industry.

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Doe and I on returning to his house, were in- formed, that a certain Physician, now nameless, had sent word in our absence, that he allotted visiting his brother Doe and family the next day. At the mention of the Doctor’s name, remembering a mischief he had formerly done me ; I now resolv- ed to digest and execute some friendly scheme, in requital of old favors. Accordingly I drew Doe aside, and, practicing on his credulity, I told him, that I had learnt the object of the Doctor’s visit. ” What is it ?” enquired he, with some earnestness. ” I dont [sic] like to tell, answered I, unless you promise secrecy, as I have no mind to be called to quorum for broaching the mystery.” “Oh ! you never shall, returned he, you may rest easy as to that.” ” Why, then, quoth I, your head is sometimes out of tune, you know, and the Doctor has a whim in his, that he, can facilitate your cure.” ” That would be good in him, (cried Doe) and, for ought I know he might contribute to my recovery, though, to speak truth, I have but a scurvy opinion of his medical abilities.” ” But, continued I, the Doctor says your disorder is very difficult to eradicate, and that emasculation will be the only effectual reme- dy ; he intends therefore, to come with suitable auxiliaries to perform on you that salutary opera- tion.” ” Do you imagine queried he, that the Doc- tor has any such thing in view.” ” Most assuredly cried I ; there has been a counsel of Doctors upon the question already, and nem. con. they have ad- vised that measure as the only radical cure in your circumstances.” ” Damn him then, said Doe, you shall see how I will look out for him.” ” Pray, said I, dont [sic] mention that I gave you the least hint R 2

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of this affair, as I wish above all things, to keep clear of blame.” ” Never fear, said he, your name shall be had in request neither pro nor con.” The next morning, Doe equipt himself, as I took notice, with a large ox-goad, which he laid by against time of need, and then kept a bright look out for the Doctor. At length espying him aloof, he flew out of doors with his trusty tickler, and took post in a spot the most convenient for his ad- versary’s reception. Presently the Doctor, alight- ing from his steed, advanced without scruple, to give his kinsman a morning salutation. Doe, in- stead of returning the compliment, discharged three or four horrible wipes across the Doctors [sic] backsides and shoulders ; which threw him into the habit of cutting more curious capers, than though he had felt the bite of the tarantula. The poor son of Esculapius unable to abide the outrag- eous attack, fled in amazement to his horse, and thinking, that, in the way of flight, four legs must have the advantage of two, attempted to remount, which, at last, he accomplished. But his horse, sad to relate ! not feeling, in common with his master, the same powerful provocatives for quick- ening his pace, stood motionless, unwilling to move, in the least, notwithstanding the hearty kicks and curses of his impatient rider. At this unfavorable moment, Doe came up, and renewed the charge with pristine vigor ; so that the luckless Doctor, ere he could subdue the patient animals [sic] stupidity, or make him budge an inch ahead, was forced to abide another consoling flagellation, which his assailant now administered with no less liberality, than at the beginning of the onset. By this time,

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however, the horse had acquired such a degree of mobility, as conveyed both himself and rider out of the reach of further injury ; the Doctor ex- claiming, as he jogged away, that Doe was stark mad to be sure, and himself bruised to a mummy. While I, who had been a tranquil spectator of the turbid scene, was inclined to suppose, that, in lieu of bootless complaints, he had more cause to re- joice, escaping as he did, not indded with his skin, but with bones unbroken. Just after this, at the instance of several soldiers, who, on expiration of their furloughs, were about returning to the army, I was hunted from post to pillar ; and, at last, surprised by one Frost and others, in a clump of bushes, where I had sought concealment from their researches. Their exulta- tion at taking the atrocious offender, who had so long baffled pursuit, was superabundant ; and so strong a guard was placed over my person that all attempts to escape must have been quixotic and chimerical. In this cautiious manner they convey- ed me to Exeter, and consigned me to the custody of Lt. Boynton, who had directions to conduct his prisoner to the army. It was now toward the close of our revolutionary war ; yet I dreaded to be re- turned as a deserter, and was, therefore, solicitous to prevent that evil ; however, as the means of avoidance were not obvious, I acquiesced from pure necessity, and resolved to meet my destiny, whatever it might be, with becoming fortitude. Lt. Boynton escorted me as far as Newburyport ; but instead of proceeding onward, as were my ex- pectations, he had me secured in the jail in that place. This fell out much to my satisfaction, for

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golden hope once more revived, that I should yet obtain the means of escape. I continued in confinement three weeks, without attempting the smallest manoeuvre to advance my enlargement ; at which time, Richard Dennis, fre- quently introduced to the reader ere this, happen- ed to arrive at the port, in a coasting vessel. This notable tanquam, hearing of his old friends [sic] mis- fortune, paid me a visit the first evening, and fur- nished me with a key saw, fixed in a bow, for the business of cutting iron. By way of requital I gave him a couple of crowns. But the very night I re- ceved the saw, Dennis broke open the public maga- zine, and took thence seven barrels of powder, con- veying the whole on board his vessel. The next morning, exposing to sale, a parcel of the commodi- ty to some hucklers, he was suspected of obliquity in its acquirement, and immediately taken into cus- tody. At this moment discovery was made that the magazine had been opened ; so that, his guilt becoming incontestible, he was honoured with a residence in the same apartment of the prison with myself. When all had withdrawn, and we were at liber- ty to converse freely, Dennis, after a momentary pause, broke silence in the following words : ” Now every thing will come handy, and we shall be ready to break jail, I trust, very soon ; let us go to work, my boy, with all diligence.” To this propo- sal I was perfectly agreed, and to work we went. Our instruments were two old case knives, and the saw above mentioned. The knives were converted into a couple of saws also, by hacking them across each other, and in this way they served to make

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a crease in the grates, while the key-saw widened the notch. At the top of the jail was a weather cock, fixt on an iron spindle, which as often as the wind blew, emitted a creaking sound, that drowned entirely the noise of our saws. We deemed this a fortunate circumstance and never failed to take ad- vantage of it, shaping our course according to the wind. In this manner we finished cutting of, though of monstrous magnitude, all the grates belonging to a certain window, except one which held by the bigness of a six penny nail. Nothing more, than the removal of the grates, being requisit, we pur- posed to break jail, and depart, as soon as darkness should permit. I conceived myself quite secure of elopement, as every thing had succeeded, thus far, to the extent of our wishes. At this crisis, when hope was fairly fledged, and expectation on the wing, Dennis most preposterously overturned our whole system, by yielding to the dictates of his old master Silenus ; or in other words, by quaffing his favourite brandy, so greedily, as to reach almost the end of his journey, complete inebriation. I remon- strated against the palpable impropriety of his con- duct, but in vain : he grew noisy, and having drained the grief-subduing bowl, began to vocifer- ate for more liquor. I interposed ; but Dennis, as if actuated by some more evil spirit, than brandy itself, persisted in calling to the bar-keeper. His clamours, however, were disregarded : all seemed inattentive, but his impatience had grown too ar- dent for controul ; regardless of consequences, therefore, he thrust his key-saw out of the scuttle, and gave a still more forcible rap. Precisely at

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that instant, Mr. Ingals, the jailor, happening to pass by, observed the saw, which he struck with his hand, so forcibly, that it flew quite across the en- try: he then left us in a condition to be envied by those only, who are just going to be hanged. Den- nis wel knew he had been the sole cause of this great mischief ; he raved like a mad man, and turning to me, with confusion of countenance, complained bitterly of his loss. I reproached him severely for his extreme folly ; protested he deserv- ed hanging, and that probably such would be his destiny in a short time. To those invectives he courageously replied : ” Never mind it, my son, we shall do well enough yet, I will fix a plaister for this sore, as sure as my name is Dennis :” In this manner we conversed, till Mr. Ingals return- ed, with several followers, to discover what mis- chief had been effected. Unlocking the door, they entered with mattocks and axes ; and soon discerned the fissures in the grates, all which, at a single blow dropped out. At this unpleasing spectacle the keeper was indignant ; fire flashed from his eyes, and he gave us a reprimand not easily to be forgotten. Our removal into a lower cell, esteemed the firmest in the whole prison, was the immediate result of this ill fated discovery. One Doctor Rand from Londonderry, was now locked up in the same room with Dennis and my- self ; he had been recently, imprisoned for uttering counterfeit money. Never, perhaps, did a more illustrious trio meet together within the same walls. One Sawyer also, at this crisis, was a tenant of the prison. That hero had likewise been concerned (so said report) in making or passing counterfeit

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bills ; and, as Rand was the only witness against him, Sawyer offered me one hundred dollars, if I would contrive to set him at liberty. The room, which had now the honour of our reception, had been lately repaired ; and, whether by carelessness or accident, a crow bar and smith’s hammer had been left behind. These tools we immediately seized ; but expecting their momenta- ry reclamation, we had the forecast to insure a timely use of them. With the bar were immedi- ately ripped up a short plank and two pieces of iron netting. This exploit was atchieved about the middle of the afternoon ; and though many people were then passing and repassing, no one overheard or suspected our employment. I have frequently found the benefit of attempting these operations by day, in preference to the night ; because when people are stirring, and occupied in their own con- cerns, less attention is paid to any noise or disturb- ance in prison, than in the silent hours of dark- ness. As Dennis and I had already made a sufficient breach to admit a free passage through the vault, we ceased all further examination till alte in the evening. When hearing, in the outer rooms, a collection of young people busily engaged in danc- ing and making merry (Ingals and his wife being absent) we imagined this the favourable moment, in which to make an end of our business. To this end Dennis took the iron bar, and descended into the cavity to pry out a parcel of stones which made the underpinning of the building. He had begun to make some opening, when suddenly the ground gave way, and a cart load of rocks, at least, tumbled,

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with great violence, into the vault. Dennis came within a hairs breadth of being overwhelmed in the ruins ; by a sudden backward motion, however, he just escaped that dreadfnl [sic] catastrophe ; still he was so miserably bespattered with filth, which en- tered both his mouth and throat, that I verily thought he must have suffocated, at last. At this critical juncture, Rand and I joined in a hurricane dance, to divert, if possible, the attention of the rabble from the thunder of the descending stones. Our expedient succeeded ; for the noise, though heard in the adjacent rooms, and for nearly a quarter of a mile round, was yet mistaken general- ly, for the rattling of wheels over the stony pave- ments of the town ; all therefore passed off, with- out particular notice. The tumult subsiding, Rand and I descended to the spot, where Dennis was yet standing ; we there found a convenient bridge spread over the bottom of the vault, by means of the stones which had pre- cipitated therein. Their removal had also opened a spacious passage into the jail yard ; into which we immediately passed in single file, and made good our retreat from the prison walls with hasty strides. Within the first gun shot we met Ingals and wife returning from their evening excursion. It was so very dark, that he distinguished not his no longer prisoners, but bidding us good night, passed on. Dennis, being in a dismal pickle, from his woeful familiarity with the vault, now left us and steered directly for the river, to wash off some small portion of his recent plaistering ; but he re- turned to us no more. Rand and I travelled directly to Bradford, a dis- tance of seven miles, and repaired to the house of

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Sawyer, whom we had left in prison. Here we pro- cured for sustenance, some bread and cheese, which was the only fraction of one hundred dollars, pro- mised by Sawyer, that I ever obtained. Quitting this place, though the night was ob- scure and chilly, we made toward the town of Pal- mer, using the utmost diligence in flight ; for, in truth, our minds were not yet exempt from the terrors of pursuit. The first living object we met on the road was a horse saddled and bridled ; him thus sent by fortune, we made bold to mount, and rode at a round trot, about twelve miles ; when espying several men, making ,as we supposed, to- wards us, we left the horse, and struck out of the beaten road. Here we had to traverse through many winding tracks and by-paths ; notwithstand- ing which, we reached Palmer before sun-rise, and took shelter in the woods. This town is about twenty-five miles from Newburyport. Here Rand had paid his devoirs to a young wo- man ; but being at this time, wretchedly clad, and wishing to appear to better advantage, as he said, in the presence of his mistress, he was urgent that I should accommodate him with a suit of spare clothes, which I had hitherto preserved through all difficul- ties. I hesitated, but on his promising, faithful- ly to restore them the next morning ; and in the interim to provide me some place of abidance in security, I delivered him the whole suit. To do him a more particular kindness, I lent him linen, shoes and stockings, to which I added six crowns in money ; that sum being every penny I could call my own. Rand was now accommodated to his wish ; but as he was perfectly known in these parts, S

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he durst not appear openly ; he, therefore, prevail- ed on me to go to that habitation of his mistress, and to intreat her (in his name) to favor him with a visit in his present retirement. The girl honored the invitation, taking with her a pot of hot coffee, beef steaks, and other ingredients for our morning repast. After Rand and I had made a plentiful meal, which, in our present exigent state, was in- deed, epicurean ; he expressed a wish to withdraw further into the bushes, under pretext of enjoying with his mistress a more private conference. They were absent nearly an hour, when the girl returned, and to my inquiries after Rand, made answer, that he had gone whither I should see him no more ; she therefore advised me to shift for myself. What a thunderstroke was this intelligence to my feelings ! With what sincere grief did I receive it ! He had decamped with my best clothes, as well as all my money. I had, in truth, entertained but a slender opinion of this man’s probity from our first ac- quaintance ; little dreaming, however, that he would shew me so scurvy a trick, at last ; more es- pecially after having used him so handsomely, at that period ; and after having, also, procured his deliverance from the horrors of a jail, I thought, at least, that the old adage, ” honor among thieves,” might have operated upon his feelings. Destitute, as I now was, of friends and money, and scant of clothing, I knew not well which way to turn ; but as no time was to be lost, I formed the hasty conclusion of retracing the country to- ward Lee. Taking leave of the young woman, I travelled the remainder of the day, as fast as my legs would

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carry me ; feeling, however, much disquietude at the base treatment I had received. Upon the ap- proach of night I took the highway, and went on with less apprehension, though with greater leis- ure. I had travelled at so swift a rate ; and to prevent notice, had taken so many crooked paths, that what with long travel, and want of food, my legs began to decline their customary office. How to procure a mouthful of food, at this period, was the most interesting question.

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CHAP. VIII.

Life but rises to another stage, The same dull journey still before us. CIBBER.

---

AT this moment, absorbed as I was, in unpleasing reflections, and tracing the lonely way in pensive mood, a glistening object caught my eye, in the path. I gave it a kick, and found it to be a large linen handkerchief. It seemed like a gift from heaven, in relief of my peculiar distresses ; I seized the prize, and eagerly approached a humble cot, that now presented itself to view. In this abode of poverty, I saw no persons, except a woman, and several small children ; but to her I offered my handkerchief for a morsel of food. The courteous dame bestirred herself, and quickly spread before me a tolerable supper ; declining, however, all compensation. Having sated my appetite, and feeling much invigorated, with the fortunate sup- ply, I pursued the way in solitude, till lage in the evening ; when happening to espy a strange glim- mering light, at a little distance from the road, and wishing to unravel the phenomenon, I turned aside, and presently found, it was but a luminous vapour, ascending from a coal kiln. Groping about, I came across a man, sound asleep, near whom was a bottle of rum, and jug of cider, of both which I drank profusely. On further research, I discover- ed a bason of victuals tied in a napkin, which I packed into my bundle, and, leaving the owner, to

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enjoy pleasant dreams, pursued the beaten track, till an ancient barn appeared in view. Feeling, by this time, an invincible propensity to sleep, I enter- ed this old barrack, and obtained a comfortable lit- ter, on which I reposed till morning. At dawn I set forward, and, after marching a few miles, ap- proached a house into which I intended to hazard an entrance. Here as before, were none save fe- males ; but they supplied me with breakfast, and gave four shillings in cash for my bason and cloth. I pretended that I was returning home from a visit to a distant relation, living in the west. Leaving this house, I proceeded with more circumspection ; but improved my time, so faithfully, as to reach Haverhill ferry about dark. With a number of others I crossed the river unquestioned, and re- paired to the house of Mrs. Shepherd ; where, finding myself an absolute stranger, I tarried a whole week, defraying all charges by doctoring, which, by the bye, was in great requisition in this vicinity. Soon, however, as bad luck would have it, came to Mrs. Shepherd’s, one Johnson ; who, having seen me in times past, recognized my phiz directly, and notified the people of my being a deserter. Without more words, he advanced, and attempted to make me his prisoner. I repelled the assault with disdain ; but persisting to press forward, I knocked him down with a chair. This caused so great a ferment, that several people ran to his aid, and consequently all further resistance, on my part, proved futile and abortive. Johnson, after this victory, informed the com- pany, that I had enlisted at Exeter, and advised my s 2

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instant removal thither, tendering his own services, as one of the conductors. Seeing Johnson was so erroneous, as to the place of my enlistment, I had the less repugnance to attend him ; for, I rather preferred a tour to Exeter than elsewhere, supposing the chance at least equal, that I should be liberated on my arrival thither. How- ever, to deceive Johnson and his adherents, I shew- ed much dislike at being carried to Exeter or else- where, in this compulsatory manner. At last we got under way ; but to avoid prolixity, at this time, I shall wave occurrences on the road, and suppose our journey at an end. When at Exeter, the first step was my arraignment before Col. Dearborn. He, being informed of the object of their visit, search- ed all his books and papers, but the name of Hen- ry Tufts was not to be found ; and no wonder in- deed ; for I had enlisted as a soldier in the service of the Bay state. My conductors, thus baffled, were at a nonplus, and could think of nothing bet- ter than to give me a dismission. In my turn, I threatened Johnson with a prosecution for the abuse and damage, I had received ; to compound which, he paid me five hard dollars, this ending the whole business. Passing, soon after, through Deerfield, I overtook one Hannah Rand, an old acquaintance, and un- dertook to transport her bundle of clothes to Lee. Before leaving the boundaries of Deerfield, I was unfortunately seen by a number of men, who had acquired a knowledge of my character. They were like hounds, in full chace after me, when I first observed them ; I was consequently compelled to stir my stumps with all the celerity I possibly could.

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Perceiving they gained ground upon me, thus en- cumbered, I reluctantly dropped Miss Rand’s bun- dle ; we had, indeed, a tedious race for it ; but, as ” needs must go when the devil drives,” I clear- ed them all, out of sight, and escaped entirely. The budget they secured ; but Hannah, on their refusal to surrender it, brought her action, and re- covered damages against one or more of the ring- leaders. No further obstacles supervened, till I had the pleasure of seeing my friends in Lee ; but, inas- much, it was too cold and uncomfortable to lodge in the woods or barns, as customary, I remained incog. at my father’s house. At the end of three weeks, (during which I received no molestation,) a number of fellows of the baser sort, happening to espy me through a lattice, came in a tumultuary manner, and surrounded the house ; their pretence was, that I had stolen a piece of cloth, at Packer’s falls. Being taken into custody, I was removed to Capt. Tuttle’s, who took charge of me till the day following. Meantime a warrant was procured, in virtue of which, after usual formalities, I was com- mitted to Dover jail, and locked up in the same room with one Ricker, who had been charged with the commission of a rape. I had not lingered in this lorn receptacle over a week, when a friend of mine, furnished me with a spike gimblet, two saws, and an iron bolt, tools here- tofore provided by myself, to meet such contingen- ces as the present. Thus armed, I extracted the spikes, surrounding the grates, of a window ; and by sawing off one

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grate, took them out every one ; but after all, found, to my grief, that the outlet was too narrow to accommodate me with a passage, though I strip- ped clean to the buff. Three successive trials past, I viewed the window as impervious, and my labour as entirely frustrated. Ricker, who was a more slender man than myself, made the next trial, and with much ado, succeeded in squeezing through the window, thereby regaining his own freedom ; but leaving me in trouble and perplexity. Quite disheartened, at my cruel disappointment, I reclined on a bench, remaining in a pensive con- dition for three hours, at least, and entertaining, in the meantime, no other thoughts than the entire abandonment of my schemes. By this time, the night was far advanced ; but, at last, it popped into my mind, that I had in my possession, a piece of pork, and some soap, and that it might be profit- able to lubricate the passage with those slippery in- gredients. Little time was left for consideration, so I fell to work, and besmeared the window to some purpose. Next I greased myself notably, and approached, with trembling steps, the much dreaded opening, intending to make this a last final effort. On trial, my new expedient seemed likely to suc- ceed beyond expectation, for the grease and soap made such material difference, that I could now slide back and forth, by degrees, whereas, before, I stuck fast in the passage. However, I had to strug- gle, most intolerably, to gain ground, inch by inch, only ; and it was not till after many strenuous and desperate exertions, which even now, I remember with horror, that I succeeded in forcing myself,

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feet foremost, into the street ; receiving, in my de- scent to the ground, a most violent concussion, by a fall of twelve or more feet. I had been so wretchedly bruised and compressed in the scanty passage, that with the addition of the fall, I had great difficulty to stand or go, on reach- ing terra firma. To cap the whole, my apparel was yet within the prison walls ; for fling it out I durst not, till I should ensure my own personal egress. Thus circumstanced, I saw no way of re- claiming the lost goods, but by bringing a small lad- der, which I had observed to lean against a neigh- boring barn. This, naked and shivering with cold, I effected, and by its assistance made out to recover a part of the clothing ; but, after all, was constrain- ed to leave my hat ; and what, in this frosty night, was still more distressing, my shoes and stockings also. Finding those articles irrecoverable, without the greatest pains, and the sacrifice of more time than could be spared, I left the prison walls, bare- foot and bare legged, and in that grotesque disha- bille, set off for lee. But how I performed, in this wretched predicament, over hubbly, frosty ground, with bare feet, a journey of nine miles, is almost impossible, even for myself to conceive. On arrival at Lee, sheer necessity compelled me to have recourse to the generosity of a friend, who supplied me with shoes, stockings, and a half dollar in money. This enabled me to turn my back, once more, upon home, perceiving that persecution still waved her hideous banner. I wandered on foot, and alone, with much uneasiness, though with- out cessation, till I arrived at the town of Chester. While in this place, where I made but a short resi-

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dence, folly induced me to join a company of peo- ple, who were displaying their prowess at athletic exercises. They had been raising a saw mill that day, which occasioned the collection. For my own part, I remained a mute spectator, till several peo- ple insisted upon my entering the ring. I declin- ed, wishing to remain unnoticed ; however, pleas and excuses being useless, I yielded to necessity, and had the address to throw out every competitor. As I was a stranger, the victory was taken in great dudgeon, by several of the wrestlers, who now at- tempted to foment a quarrel. To avoid that mis- chief, I withdrew to the house ; but, in the even- ing, I had a hint from an Irish girl, that they were concerting some plan to my damage ; on this I pri- vately absconded ; travelled three miles to Moses Underhill’s tavern, and there put up for the night. My lodging was in a chamber, and weariness soon threw me, though a wandering exile, into a sound, delicious slumber ; but awaking in the dead of night, I was not a little astonished at feeling by my side, unstript of his garniture, a rough bedfel- low. Unable to english this strange cecountre, I gave him a jog, and demanded his name ; but, in hoarse, masculine accents, he deigned no other re- ply, than, ” No matter, lie still.” In the morning, on my attempting to rise, he swore bitterly I should never quit the soil, till he had given me, what he termed a dressing ; he declared he had followed me three miles for that purpose ; and added, that although I had flung out the whole town, he meant to shew me it afforded men still, who could give me a flogging. I was somewhat nettled at this blustering harangue ; however, I dressed, and de-

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scended, with the bully, cheek by jowl, into the kitchen, he discharging, the whole time, a volley of oaths and menaces. Wishing to prevent conse- quences, I desired the interposition of the landlord, who was a great, black, thickset Irishman, to no purpose ; he only enquired, in round Irish, if I feared the fellow ; I replied in the negative ; but that being a stranger, it was my wish to avoid con- tention. At the instant I made this reply, in came John Wendal, Esq. of Portsmouth ; regardless of which, my antagonist was inflexible in urging on the dispute. He now made at me with fire and fury in his aspect. We exchanged a number of blows ; I had, however, the good fortune to bring him by the board ; while, in falling, he upset a table, that stood in the floor completely furnished for breakfast. Still the combat held with redoub- led ardour, and ended only from the intervention of the company ; whose opinion was, that ample harm had been done already. My opponent had been so roughly handled, in this squabble, that he mentioned not a syllable more of renewing the con- test ; I therefore, left the town, but not my thanks, for the hospitality of its inhabitants. Not choosing to revisit the subjacent parts of New-Hampshire, I journeyed to Connecticut, and thence to a part of New-York, few novelties occur- ring during the passage. Here I made acquaint- ance with one Thomas Law, a dutchman, and took lodgings at his house, calling myself by the name of Thomas Harrington. Law and I agreed shortly, to make a tour to some part of Massachu- setts, for the benevolent purpose of stealing a couple of good horses. We travelled as far as Lenox, ere

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an opportunity presented that pleased us. Here we took a horse of six years old, and a mare of four. We rode them to New-Lebanon, and there sold them, taking security, by notes of hand, for the pay. We then proceeded to Hudson, where I was overtaken by one Wright, from New-Lebanon, who charged me with stealing two of his horses. He had brought with him, a man, who was not only ready but willing to swear that he had seen me on the back of one of them. I denied the assertion, and that with the strictest truth ; but my declaration meeting no credit, I was carried before a magistrate, and by him committed to prison in the next town. Though I knew myself innocent in respect of Wright’s process ; yet being sensible, that other accusations might be brought against me with more propriety, I was very desirous of gain- ing my liberty, prior to the day of trial. To do this, I set fire, one night, to a scuttle window, blowing up the coals with an onion stalk ; but, having done my best, the passage still remained too small for my exit, so that, reluctantly, I gave up the project. Next morning, the High Sheriff, who was a Dutchman, discovered the bold attempt, and re- moved me into another cell of more stability than the former ; here he continued to guard my person with extreme rigidity. Trial soon came on, in the course of which, the aforesaid witness shuffled and prevaricated so dismally, that my attorney, taking the proper advantages, overthrew the whole testi- mony, and procured my discharge. Lest fresh difficulties should arise, I posted straight to New Lebanon to obtain payment of the

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note, I yet held, for the horse. The purchaser, mean time, had heard so many reports against my character, that he plumply denied paying a single stiver. On the reverse, he carried me before a jus- tice, who induced me to confess, that the horses sold by Las and myself, as aforesaid, had been pre- viously stolen ; upon which the note was given up by my own consent, and Mr. Justice took both horses into his own possession. The magistrate had a son, who never possessed, to say no worse, too large a share of common pro- bity. This young man, went immediately, to the town of Lenox with two false advertisements, pur- porting that he himself had lost two horses ; at Lenox he found those from whom Law and I had taken the horses first mentioned, and which were now in his father’s custody. To those men, there- fore, he offered to dispose of his property in the steeds he himself pretended to have lost ; assigning as a reason for his wishing to sell, that he was weary of further search. They affirmed, that themselves had met with a similar loss, and of the two, had rather sell than buy. Upon that, the young fellow proffered his silver watch, for their right, at a ven- ture, which, as they had given up all thoughts of recovering their property, they consented to take it : Mr. G. then returned home, exulting, no doubt, in his ingenious artifice. Not long after, the same jockey being so inadvertent as to divulge the trick he had been playing ; the right of the matter came to the ears of the men, on whom the cheat had been practiced ; they, therefore, purchased a writ against him, by means of which he was compelled to restore the horses, and refund damages ; while T

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Law and myself, the original aggressors, escaped without molestation. At New Lebanon, I purchased a small house, with one acre of land ; but, some of my crooked pranks coming to light, I was compelled to aban- don the premises ; for which I never obtained a single dollar. At Partridge-town, I made a halt, and the day following ; was arrested for breaking a Goldsmith’s shop ; but the prosecutor finding me dauntless, and being himself unable to make suita- ble proof, relinquished further process. On this event I determined to quit the state of New York, entirely ; my real name beginning to be trumpeted abroad, I was viewed with an eye of suspicion, wherever I set foot. In pursuance of this resolution I came to Poplin, in Newhamp- shire ; here the people suiting my turn to a shav- ing, I tarried a considerable season. In this place, I had no lack of employment, my time being devoted to physic, fortune telling and card playing, in which last branch I fancied myself no light proficient. I met, however, with an un- lucky rub, one evening ; for happening to engage with a gambler of some eminence, he stripped me of both watch and money ; this loss gave me un- easiness, till, recollecting a certain goldsmith’s shop, I resolved to regret the mischance no longer ; re- membering the old adage, ” light come, light go.” At Poplin, as a palmister and fortuneteller, I cut no contemptible figure ; the people supposing me deeply skilled in the occult mysteries of fate, and future destinies. Previous inquiries into every body’s reputation, habits and business, was the great talisman, by which I was enabled to relate things,

HENRY TUFTS. 219

marvellous indeed, in the eyes of superstition and ignorance. But my chief reliance, for support, was the prac- tice of physic, in which I was though to have for- warded a number of notable cures ; I restored to health, in particular, one woman, affected with an odious disease that she contracted by her familiar intercourse with a certain trader ; for which ser- vice I was richly rewarded. On the whole, I am at a loss to say, whether, the excess was on the side of my gains or my expenditures while at Poplin. A little before my departure, I spent an agreeable evening with a certain young woman, at a game of cards. After playing some time, we concluded to try a rubber for a night’s lodging, and as it hap- pened, she was the winner ; on which, I observed, that she had worsted me. ” Yes, (replied she) but I’ve as good a right to demand the loosings, as your- self.” I acknowledged the propriety of her remark, and discharged my forfeit, with interest, the same night. I now left Poplin, but roamed to no great dis- tance, ere I purchased a horse ; having this acqui- sition, I set up for horse jockeying, and made several profitable turns. In the end, however, I was very much cheated, in a gay, sprightly look- ing horse, that proved, eventually, not only wind- broken, but subject to a disorder called the spring- halt, which frequently seized his limbs so powerful- ly, that he would drop down suddenly, as though shot in the head. In short, I found my new pur- chase no better than a cypher, and therefore resolv- ed to be rid of him at any rate. Next day, meet- ing a man, who took a fancy to my fine horse, as

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was, in fact, his general appearance, we made a swap in which I received thirty dollars in exchange. We parted extremely well suited ; but before my chap had ridden twenty rods, his new horse tum- bled down, and gave the rider a most desperate fall. I happened to see the same man, not long after, when he threatened me so strenuously, with a prose- cution, unless I consented to repair his loss. I wisely refused, and afterwards heard no more of the grievance. Being anxious to see my family, I returned to Lee ; but finding it in extreme indigent circum- stances, I commenced a rountine of pilfering for its relief. My race, however, at this time, was short, for a number of people, owing me an inveterate grudge, on account of former misdemeanors, assem- bled in a body, and succeeded in making me a pris- oner, by surprise. Being captured, I was sent ac- cording to military law, under guard, to Exeter, in order to be transmitted to the army. It was in the year 1781, if I mistake not, when this transaction took place. From Exeter I was removed to Newbury, and locked up in prison, till further orders. Here every device, to effect an escape, was wholly pre- posterous, since the prisoners for debt invariably betrayed my counsel ; in addition to which I was vigilantly guarded, day and night, by sentries with- out. After nineteen days’ confinement, I was tak- en out of jail, with ten others, called deserters, and with them, conducted toward West Point, where, at that time, a part of the American troops was quartered. Capt. Dodge had the care and com- mand of the prisoners ; two of whom, Mark White

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and James Atkins, had deserted from the army, sundry times before ; on this account, they were handcuffed fast together, and obliged to march in that uneasy condition. Many prophesied, that on their arrival at camp, they would certainly be shot ; but it was their wish, and my expecta- tion, to escape, by all means, before we reached that place. Preparatory to this, I contrived to saw off the iron keys belonging to their handcuffs, and to re- place them with leaden ones made of bullets, by which they could disencumber themselves at pleas- ure. At Worcester, we halted for the night, and were guarded by an Englishman as centinel [sic]. Finding this man inclinable to desert, as well as the prison- ers ; I concerted, with him, a plan to spike the smal arms, and then march off, one and all, in a body. The first part of our design was executed successfully, by decent bed time ; but, when on the point of leaving the house, we had the mischance to be betrayed by a camp woman, who belonged to one of the prisoners, and who was unwilling to be forsaken by her partner. This untoward accident disconcerted the whole affair, and obliged us to re- tract all further thoughts of escape, for the present. On the following morning, we renewed our march for West Point ; but no possible chace of escape intervened, till our arrival at Fishkiln, where it was allotted to take quarters for the night. Sev- eral inhabitants of this village being sick, the pris- oners were obliged to lodge in a corn house ; at the door of which were posted two negro men, as sen- tries. It was Dodge’s intention to return us into T 2

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camp in the course of the day following ; it seemed therefore necessary to effectuate our escape this evening, if at all. Amongst the prisoners was a Frenchman, who could speak English tolerably well, and who, be- sides, was a very intelligent person. With this man I digested a scheme to break through the side of the corn house, in the dead of night, and then to decamp, with the prisoners, in a body. I engag- ed, as my part of the duty, to divert the attention of the negroes, our guard, while he, with several others, should pry off a few of the bars or slats. Having fully determined, in what manner to pro- ceed, I took my station, at the outer door ; and, when every light in the village had become extinct, introduced myself to the negro guard, by giving them a feigned history of the black people in my won country, whom I extolled as creditable men, and most excellent preachers. These encomiums ex- cited wonderful attention, as I perceived, and were extremely gratifying to my hearers. The better, however, to keep them in play, I arose, and having, as the reader must suppose, a tolerable knack at preaching, myself, made them a lengthy harangue, after the manner, as I told them, of their own countrymen ; dashing my discourse with the most romantic gestures and expressions, and stamping, with great force, upon the floor, the whole time. This I did to drown the noise of my accomplices, who were now busily engaged in prying of the slats, which it seemed was a difficult task ; because they were not only composed of oak, but were also large, and well spiked to the building. My dis- course lasted till the Frenchman had made a suffi-

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cient opening ; but on this notice, was wound up, by telling the deluded Africans, it had grown late and high time to still the noise of the prisoners, in which sentiment they fully accorded. Bidding my black acquaintance, therefore, good night and re- turning to the prisoners, I caused each individual quietly to lie down : one hour after which, every thing remaining in propria quae maribus, we arose, passed out at the breach individually, and paraded in unison under the eves. The night was obscure and foggy, circumstances propitious to our enterprise. The Frenchman un- dertook the direction of the whole party ;–he in- structed us to move off slowly, and to keep a good look out in the rear ; for in so dark a night, no danger was apprehended in front. We followed his directions, and marching off in single file, two miles, made a halt ; we here agreed to separate for fear of cross accidents. I parted from the rest of the gang, with intent to shape my course for the eastward, conceiving it likely that I could reside there in some tolerable security.

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CHAP. IX.

The buzzing beetle shall tell a deed Of dreadful note.

THIS being the concluding chapter of the second book, it shall be pursued with our ac- customed brevity ; intreating, however, the pause of a moment, in which, by way of taking breath, I shall make one or two necessary, and I hope, not unwelcome observations. It may possibly be re- quisite, once more, to suggest, that egotism, even to a Ciceronian fault, is inseparable from that species of writing, which we have seen fit to adopt in the present narrative. The reader, is no doubt, fatigued and disgusted at the continual repetition of those intrusive little pronouns, I, me and my, which may be seen so plentifully scattered, through almost every page of this interesting work. They return, at stated intervals, with the pertinacity of a circu- lating decimal, and continue upon our hands, like a rent charge, incapable of extinction. Very cheer- fully would we dispense with all further attendance of those little officious gentlemen, were it not that no substitute can be found decently to supply their places, such is the poverty of language. Thus pos- ed, we must necessarily, retain them, while we nar- rate our own adventures ; and while we continue the imporant hero of the story. This we prefer to the affected phraseology of Briggs in the history of his Cecelia. This author adopts a conciseness the most eliptic ; and is sure to reject almost en-

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tirely, from his vocabulary, the little reprobated monosyllables above mentioned. His diction, after all is abrupt, rude and ambiguous ; ours has egotism and dearth of variety in the expression, on which the snarling critic may easily starve. His, an offence against the rules of grammar, ours, against those of rhetoric ; both are uncourtly, and untuneful to a refined ear. From this short com- parison, it will appear, that author like, we prefer our own diction to that of Mr. Briggs, or any body’s else, declaring, at the same time, that no modification of language, no circumlocation what- ever, could possibly atone for the sacrifice of our little pronomial auxiliaries. We shall, therefore, in future, as on past occasions, continue their assist- ance, whenever fancy may impel or conveniency require. We now, with Corporal Trim, make our usual bow, and return to the subject. The second night, after separation from my brother deserters, I passed through Simsbury ; and, seeing a horse standing saddled and bridled, made bold to mount and ride him away ; but felt in ex- treme jeopardy, every twinkling, lest I should be followed and caught, either as a thief or deserter. Fear stimulated to the most vigorous efforts. I wished to cross Springfield ferry before morning, knowing, that, to be seen riding, by day, in these parts would be a risque, by far, too hazardous. It was past midnight ere I reached the ferry, and, when there, saw no boat, in which, to pass the river ; this was the more unlucky, because it was necessary to cross in this place, or go to a vast way about to effect that purpose. After a long search up and down the shore, I discovered a mud-skow, every way, indeed, impro-

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per for my enterprise, being large enough to have transported six oxen with their cargo at a trip. The stream I knew to be rapid ; and, a short dis- tance below, was a place where the water fell ab- ruptly, twenty feet at least ; I was, therefore, at a stand, whether to venture or not, in this unweidly [sic] machine, to manage which must require three or four able men. But a strong desire for personal safety impelled me to the attempt ; wherefore, with- out further reflection, I stepped my horse into the skow, and pushed her from the shore. Seizing a sculling oar, I made every exertion to get across, ere the current should tumble me headlong over the falls. I strained each nerve, but my progress was small ; yet I continued struggling, till I got within five or six rods of the opposite bank ; by which time, I had drawn so near the cataract, that into it, Oh horrid, I must undoubtedly be precipi- tated ! The gulph of destruction was yawning, wide, for my reception ; and instant death seemed inevitable, unless the killock should serve as a pre- ventative. Wherefore, springing ahead, I flung toward land, as far as my strength would enable me, that utensil ; with the hope that it might catch in- to some crag or hard bottom, and so bite up the vessel. I had the felicity to see this take effect, for the skow, after stretching the painter, ceased to fall down stream, swinging, gently round toward shore. I stood ready, with my horse, holding by his mane, and when nearest the bank, compelled him to take a sudden leap ; by which mean, after some scrabble, we reached land, though much overcome with the exercise. This dangerous voyage sur- mounted, I pushed on ; but still met with nume-

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rous impediments in my passage, on account of the post and rail fences which abounded in this part of the country. I crossed hedge and ditch with the dexterity of a hunter, till I found myself enclosed in a garden ; groping about, however, I hit upon a gate that led me into the open street. Several companies of the American troops were yet posted in the town of Springfield ; and the di- lemma arose, in what manner to pass by the sen- tries, unnoticed. Eight or ten days prior to this, when conducted through the town, I had the pre- caution to take special good notice, how and where they were stationed. So that drawing near, the night being hazy, I squat snug to the side of my beast, and ventured forwards. Presently one of the soldiers, spying him, roared out, ” There comes uncle Mills’ mare ; stop her.” To this another made answer, ” Damn her, I wont [sic], she is a cross old bitch, let her go ” : I thus passed through the midst of them, and went clear. having nothing more to fear from the soldiery, I spurred on but a few miles further, before I took shelter with an old acquaintance, in whose society I felt a degree of confidence. Within a few days, I learnt, that the owner of my stolen horse, suspecting the eastern deserters, had made the best of his way to Springfield ; where seeing the skow in the plight I had left her, he be- came convinced that his horse had passed that way ; so crossing over, and hearing of Henry Tufts at Springfield, he rightly conjectured my being the thief, and therefore continued his journey toward Lee. After a troublesome tour, meeting and ac- quainting a friend of mine with the story, he was

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counselled to pursue Tufts no longer ; for as well might he catch a blue Hawk as him ; and, as to the horse, it was a clear case, he would see him no more. This account disheartened my poor pursuer, so entirely, that he wheeled about and returned home. If any should be curious to know in what man- ner I disposed of my horse, I shall inform him, that I swapped him at Pepperel, in Massachusetts, and had three crowns to boot. Soon after this, I re- paired to Lee, and supplied my dependents with a little money, and such other articles, as the lean state of my finances afforded. Making but a short stay with my friends, for fear of new trouble, I journeyed in a south wester- ly direction, till crossing Connecticut river, I bent my course more southerly, strolling on to the Jer- sies, and in this, as in former voyages, obtained the desiderata by medicinal employments, or by pur- loining such articles as fell handily in my way. Passing through Morristown, in which was can- toned a part of the army, I stole a horse ; but, find- ing it impossible to get off with him, except by passing betwixt two ponds, where stood a sentry, I was in no small fear of being stopped in that place, unless I could hit on some curious means of pre- vention. Preparatory to this, I hurried to a butcher’s stall, and bought the leg and foot of an ox ; pre- tending to need the oil for my horses feet, as he was hoof-bound. About sunset I drew near the defile, in which was the sentry ; when alighting, I tied upo one of my legs snug, under my loose coat, bringing my heel as near my back as possible. I then splintered to my knee the ox’s leg and foot,

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covering the raw parts with old rags, so that my cloven foot might fairly appear, it being my inten- tion to personate him whom I had so long served, viz. the Devil. Thus metamorphosed, I remount- ed, and rode up, with great resolution, to the gate, requesting in a hollow tone, the centinels to open it, and let me pass. To this they made no reply, but continued gazing at my cloven foot ; at sight of which, it was obvious, they were much startled. Without giving them time for reflection, I insisted that the gates should be opened instantly, urging as the cause of my haste, that I had a great way to ride before morning, and promising any recom- pence they might ask, only they must receipt for the money. At length one of them, without ut- tering a syllable, stept forward, and opened the gang way, through which I glided, but not a penny, fearing the Devil’s money, could I prevail with either to receive for his pains. I did not stop to multiply intreaties, but, clapping spurs to my horse, was quit of the bray of Morristown in a jiffin. The next day, it was currently reported, that the Devil had passed through the pond-gate, and had been seen to fly away in a flame of fire. This oc- curred about the close of the war. with my new horse I journeyed to North-river, and embraced the first opportunity to dispose of him for such commodities as I mostly needed ; hav- ing negociated that necessary business, I continued my rambles on foot, till the town of Poughkeepsie had the honour of my reception. Here I sat up as a physician, and considering my short stay in the place, which was only six weeks, obtained a round sum in ready money. At length, quitting the U

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town, I touched at divers other places, but meeting with no peculiar temptations to induce a longer tarriance, I set affairs in order for a journey home- ward. The first day’s travel, in prosecution of this pur- pose, brought me to an inn called the Stone-Tav- ern, near which I arrived at the close of the even- ing. This tavern noted for the misdemeanors of its occupants, who were then utter strangers to me, was situate not many miles from Poughkeepsie. Feeling already somewhat fatigued, and the night being too dark to invite farther progress, I resolved to put up while morning, if I could procure enter- tainment. Accordingly, I entered the house, and seating myself in a chair, called for some spirit, and was waited upon by a middle aged woman, who appeared to be the mistress of the inn. Having regaled upon the joys of Bacchus, I desired the landlady to prepare supper, about which she bestir- red herself with more than common alacrity. But while this was doing, I was much surprised at the conduct of the landlord, who as I took notice was extremely busy in securing the outer doors of the house. Thinking there must need be some myste- ry in this, I looked round, and observed, that all the windows had been strongly fastened previous to my arrival. This discovery increased my perplexi- ty. I imagined that some mischief must be, cer- tainly, in agitation, though what, I could not de- vise, unless robbery was premeditated. The only persons, at present in the room, were the landlady, and another woman, whom I conclud- ed to be a guest, as well as myself. Toward this woman, I repeatedly turned my eyes, to see if the

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traces of fear were discoverable in her countenance ; but she betrayed none, appearing quite inattentive to the strange transactions, that were passing in her view, and which had excited, in my breast, such peculiar alarms. Supper, by this time was in great forwardness, but feeling very uneasy, I left my seat, and traversed the room with much anxiety. While I was walking back and forth, I cast my eyes through the opening of a door, that had been left a little ajar, and, to my utter astonishment, discern- ed, in another apartment, two white men and a ne- gro, loading their guns. I looked about, and saw every avenue by which it was possible to escape se- curely barricadoed ; flight, then, imagined I, must be out of the question. In a minute or two more, the landlord came and stood in the entry, with an ax in his hand, and with a countenance, which I thought, wore the marks of evident ferocity. Those extraordinary movements bespake daggers to my soul, and indicated clearly, that not only robbery, but murder also, must be the objects in view. No scruple remained but that the female stranger, above mentioned and myself, were the in- tended victims. Who is able to paint the awful situation of my mind, the terrors of my imagination at that trying period ? How willingly had I parted with every thing the most dear, to have been absent from the fatal spot ! but the desirable boon was denied me ! ! On the contrary, I saw myself encircled with death- dealing friends, four in number, and all armed ; with a tigress at their head, to prompt her obse- quious troop to the commission of the blackest of deeds ! !

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In vain were the thoughts of escape ; no meth- od of extrication was perceptible, unless by cutting a passage through them all. But how can so haz- ardous an atchievement be accomplished, thought I, by the help of my pistols only ? What a miser- able defence would such weapons make, when op- posed to four men, armed with guns and axes ? The enterprise was too arduous, too desperate for my feeble undertaking ; its execution quite im- possible ! ! ! Such were my fears, and such my reflections. On the whole, I saw no possibility of eluding their infernal grasp ; therefore, deemed it the height of madness to exasperate them, by premature attempts of my own, which could but hasten the fatal mo- ment. Ideas of this sort crouded my imagination, and determined me to wait the issue of the horrid scene in silence ; to abide the dreaded event with- out the smallest exertion, till the last fearful ex- tremity should render it indispensable ! I therefore, resumed my chair, and waited with seeming composure till supper was laid on the ta- pis, when the landlady, whose visage pronounced her the worst of the whole club, invited me to the table. I complied, not well knowing what else to do ; but such, at that moment, was my perturba- tion, that not a morsel could I have eaten, to have gained a princely diadem ! The Bacchanalian may revel in his cups, the Epicure delight in his nicest dainties ; but, to a man in my predicament, even nectar and embrosia must have lost their attractive charms. The woman, who was a guest, and, as I supposed, in the same perilous situation with myself, sat in

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company with me at supper, and began to help herself, as I took notice, in the most unconcerned manner. Our viands were cold meat, and had an appearance, so extremely odd, as to impress me with a belief, (nor was I out in my conjectures) that they were human flesh, I sat, therefore, in silent astonishment, viewing the horrid banquet, but without attempting to swallow a single mouth- ful. The hag of a hostess, observing my remissness, demanded if the food was disagreeable ; and, on my hesitating in reply, she took it away, and pre- sented another dish, which I knew to be cold beef ; but, for my life, I could not taste of it, expecting as I did, to be shot, or knocked on the head, every instant. Whilst those formalities were passing at the ta- ble, I had been alarmed once or twice by noises issuing from the adjacent rooms ; though, as yet, no one of the monsters, I dreaded, had offered to approach. I was nevertheless in momentary ex- pectation of a visit from one or all of them, as the landlord yet maintained his post in the entry. My stupid, female associate was still eating, with fancied security ; but to awaken her to a sense of the danger, I trod softly upon her toe. She re- sented my freedom, as she termed it, with much asperity, and grew so frantic with passion, as made me shudder, lest fatal consequences should be ac- celerated by her clamours. In order to pacify her I made the handsomest apologies I could, attribut- ing my offence to mere inadvertency, which I hop- ed her lenity would vouchsafe to pardon. Sooth- ed by these concessions, her resentment subsided, u 2

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and she resumed anon, what seemed to be her fa- vourite employment, eating. At this moment, I heard people in the other rooms, passing very briskly to and fro ; at the sound of whose footsteps my apprehensions were wrought up to the highest pitch of fearful expectation ; insomuch that I hasti- ly left the table, and crossed the room to a window facing the street. At this eventful crisis, when hope had taken its flight ; I heard, at a distance in the road, several people talking quite loudly. I had good hopes they might be drawing toward the house, as I had heard no footsteps pass by, as yet. So unexpected, yet so fortunate an occurrence, as that christian people, should be approaching, at the juncture I had re- signed myself entirely for lost, revived my sunken spirits, in a twinkling ; and lest they should omit calling, I resolved, without a moment’s delay, to make one effort toward my deliverance. With this intent, I stept up to the landlady, who yet continued in the room, and addressed her in the following strain, it being the offspring of my imme- diate invention. ” Madam, I had like to have for- gotten my errand ; I was requested by a serjeant with seven or eight men, whom I left drinking a mile back, to desire you to prepare them supper immediately. They wish not to be detained, as they are in quest of a deserter, whom they have tracked this way, and are resolved to have dead or alive, before morning.” The woman, hearing this, requested to know how soon I expected them. ” Every minute, madam, (returned I) indeed, I heard them coming just now.” ” Did you so, said she, then its [sic] time to be stirring.” With that she

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ran as far as the door, leading to the next room, and cried out to her myrmidons,” [sic] “What are you about there ; who, the plague, fastened up the doors ; What’s the reason you are not down cel- lar about your business ? Husband ! you must help me provide supper for seven or eight men ! ! ! This incongruous, but sudden harangue gave them all, I believe a rude shock ; for the doors were set open instantly, and several men hurried down cel- lar, I knew not for what purpose. No sooner was a passage cleared, than I leapt out of the house, and looking toward the road, espied a traveller, then passing by, I called out to know if my people were coming along soon,” Yes, said he, a num- ber of soldiers are just at hand ; They will be here directly.” I thought this a fortunate circumstance, for I feared lest nobody had been near, when I told the landlady to that purpose. But now thinking myself pretty secure and wishing to terrify the wretches, who had used one so villainously, especi- ally the landlady, whom I took to be a she Devil, I drew out one of my pistols, and told her, as she was sitting in the entry way, where now she had posted herself, that I was armed as well as her own crew, and would know, before quitting the spot, their motives for barring up the doors. As she made no return to this, I told her it was manifest, they had meant murder by that stratagem. She attempted to apologise, but I swore by Jupiter, that on arrival of my comrades, who were hard by, they should all pay dear for their villainy ; and that she herself, as being the ringleader, should fall the first victim. At these menaces she was vastly agitated, and had much ado to support herself in the chair,

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whilst the sight of her distresses afforded pleasure to my heart. Thus, having given the wicked woman a suffi- cient alarm, and not caring to wait longer, I ran out to the road, where spying no soldiers near, I made off, the homeward way, with all the dispatch imaginable. I had gotten from the Stone Tavern, perhaps half a mile, when suddenly a man sprung up from the way-side, just in front of me. It was so dark a night I could not distinguish whether he was armed or not ; but having met with such a late, severe shock, the sight of this unexpected guest gave me another uncommon surprise. The first thought which occurred was, that he probably be- longed to the Stone Tavern, and had come thus far on purpose to way-lay me. I therefore instant- ly drew out my pistol, told him I was armed at all points, and bid him approach nearer at his peril, swearing I would blow him into ribbands in a breath, if he advanced one inch further. At these threats he was dismally affrighted, and began to retreat, protesting he meant no harm, in the least, for he was a labouring man, and had been out that day swingling flax. I bid him keep distance, as he valued his safety, for I had been startled too much that evening to stand upon ceremony with any body. The stranger waited not for further remonstrances, but wheeling about, took to his heels, with the utmost precipitancy, crying out, as he sped away, ” if you have been frightened, I sup- pose it must be at the stone tavern.” After this flurry, I continued plodding on, till late in the evening, when, drawing near a house, as

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yet illuminated, I went in, and tarried the remain- der of the night. The next day I questioned my host respecting the people of the stone tavern, and was informed of their being tories, receiving otherwise a very black description of their ill be- haviour. Before resumption of my journey, news arrived, that the same vile miscreants had taken advantage of the evening gloom, and had decamped, bag and baggage, with intention, as was thought, of joining the British on Long Island. That sundry people, hearing of their elopement, had searched the stone house and cellar, that same morning, and had seen appearances indicative of the recent murder of a number of persons. On comparison of circumstances, there could be no doubt, but their sudden flight was attributable to the alarm I had given them, and my blood ran cold to think how narrowly I had escaped death by the hands of bloody assassins. The female guest, whom I mentioned as having been my companion, at that house, was reported no where to have been found aferwards ; so that little question remained, but that, she had fallen a sacrifice to the barbarity of its inmates. On the receipt of the foregoing intelligence, I left my entertainer, and, with due diligence, went directly to Lee, where I arrived without mishap on the passage. On my arrival, I found all well as usual, and, though I had so often played truant, my wife and children (of which latter I had now a competent number) received me with joy and cheerfulness. The sight of those objects revived in my breast, at this time, the thoughts of former

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days, moved my paternal feelings, and drew tears from my eyes. They were the tears of compassion, of tenderness ; and such are sometimes, the har- bingers of happiness and delight. Why are not those tender effusions, those philanthropic emotions permanent and unfading ? Alas ! with man this were inexpedient. The continuance of such ex- quisite sensations would overpower human nature ; their intensity would be too sublime, too delicately refined for the weakness of mortality ; they would absorb the economical virtues, and disqualify their votary for the performance of ordinary duties ! I continued at home longer, at this season, than usual ; leading, for the most part a steady life, pro- viding for my family, by the sweat of my brow, and meeting with satisfactory encouragement in all my honest undertakings. The war, by this time, was nearly over ; little or no want of men, to re- cruit the army, existed ; of course, I was sought after, in character of deserter, with an avidity less tenacious ; in consequence of which, I enjoyed some comparative tranquility and peace. However, in very deed, the present respite from vice, may be considered, as resulting from my desire for ease, or my wishes for a temporary rescue from those tumultuous and distressing scenes, which latterly had fallen unaccountably, to my share ; scenes, sufficient to discourage the most resolute mind, and make the hardiest mortal weary of existence. This cessation from the ways of iniquity lasted four months, during which, I remained quietly at home. All thoughts of forsaking my family were now, quite foreign from my views ; but, at the end of this tranquil periiod, occurrences took place,

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which altered essentially, my wisest determinations. These happened, very unfortunately, not only be- cause, in themselves unjustifiable, but because, they once more deranged my expectations, and rendered me, if possible, more unstable and capricious than ever. I shall give them a brief recital. I chanced, one day, to meet with a man in New- market, named Durell ; some how or other a dif- ference arising between us, on matters of trivial import, the hotspur of a blade, without previous notice, gave me so heavy a blow, that I fell quite senseless to the floor. Soon as I recovered life and motion, I arose, and demanded who struck me ; for, a company being present I did not know the aggressor. Durrell made answer, with a terrible oath, that he was the man. I challenged him to see me to the door ; where, a ring beng formed, a most severe combat, ensued. But my abusive anta- gonist, however, soon sunk beneath the fury of my blows ; and being taken up by the spectators, was carried into Folsom’s tavern, where he remained in a dangerous situation for a fortnight. I was in much perplexity for fear of his death ; and, there- fore, kept snugly concealed, and in preparation to flee at a moment’s warning ; but, at last, much to my joy and satisfaction, he recovered. Soon after this I met, by accident, with several fellows, among whom was one who owed me an unmerciful grudge ; but, to prevent future mischief, I shall not mention his name. This man, wishing to requite me for former supposed injuries, assault- ed me, without mercy ; and being seconded by the rest of his party, they altogether gave me a most intolerable beating. As this abuse had been un-

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provoked, on my side, I was fully determined on revenge. Meeting, the same villain therefore, alone, a short time after, we pitched battle ; fortune declared in my favor, and he received his deserts ; for this he has owed me, without doubt, an ill turn ever since. Sundry other cross accidents superven- ing, at this epoch, it became as plain as a pike staff, that a train of consequences must ensue. Being thus oppressed with fearful apprehensions, I thought best to abandon Lee for the present ; so, bidding adieu to my kindred, I set off, in proper haste, for the eastern territories. Destitute of a single shilling, in the world, it was requisite to levy contributions on the public, so that aI might elude, ” haggard poverty’s cruel gripe.” In some places, therefore, I practiced phy- sic; in others told fortunes, and in others again, I discharged the sacerdotal office. I could turn my hand with equal facility to either of those scientific branches, and acquired some celebrity in them all. In the business of fortune telling, I prophecied with the acumen of a sybil ; obtaining, thereby, the appellation of a Salem wizard. That the rabble should belive this, was much to my advantage, as every craft exists on the strength of public opinion. However I had not the hardiesse to undertake the sacred functions, except where unknown. My good fortune, however, was such, that, whether I held forth in public assemblies, or in private fami- lies, I generally received the approbation of my au- ditors, many of whom thought me a saint, and worthy of canonization. I made a long abode in the eastern department, and kept in fact, so many strings to my bow, that

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for the most part, I fared sumptuously, and even replenished my purse, which had of late been in a galloping consumption. Toward the close of this tour, I recollect, among other particulars, of my attending at a cer- tain religious afternoon meeting. Here, when the minister had finished his last prayer, I addressed the people, by way of exhortation ; my discourse had the desired effect ; the whole audience was very deeply impressed ; but the deacon, beyond the rest, was so extremely gratified, that following me into the street, he would take no refusal, to his invita- tion to accompany him to the parson’s house ; to gratify the old zealt, I complied and found, assembled, a number of people, among whom was a justice of the peace. I had an invitation to tarry all night, which I accepted ; but, previously to the separation of the company, it was urged upon me to make the evening prayer. Although they used great importunity, particularly the deacon, who would brook no denial, I still declined. At last, however, to please my new friends, and support the ghostly character, with propriety, I conceded, and made a prayer, highly relished indeed, by eve- ry hearer, but more especially by the deacon, who was so elevated, that he expressed his admiration in the warmest terms. After this I was much cares- sed, while I tarried in the neighborhood ; soon leaving the place, however, I set my face towards Lee, and arrived thither in health and safety. Not to remain altogether inactive, while at home, I hired out, occasionally, as a day labourer, and amongst my employers was deacon Tash, several anecdotes of whom, have been already related. W

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While in his employ, at this time, I drove his team, loaded with hay, to Portsmouth, in company with several other teams in the same service. Just as my hay had been weighed in the market, a gentleman, a late emigrant from sweet Ireland, wanting to buy, stept up for the purpose of viewing my load. Being unacquainted with this commodity, he en- quired if it were good. I knew too well that my load was very mean, being made up of that kind, which growing in swamps, is called hassocky hay ; and that any beast must be in the last extremity of starvation to swallow a straw of it. However I assured this son of Erin, it was very durable hay, and would stick by a creature, longer than any other kind I knew of. He turned to one of my fellow teamsters, to know if I spoke truth, from whom receiving a full confirmation of my doctrine, he concluded to purchase, provided we could agree on the price. I told him that although the com- mon run of English hay sold for six dollars a ton, I was willing to take at the rate of seven for mine. This, he thought a little extravagant, supposing I might well drop half a dollar ; to which, after pro- mise of a good treat in the bargain, I asserted, then threw the hay into the stable, ate dinner with the gentleman, received my money, and, last of all hur- ried out of town for fear of a new reckoning. On return to deacon Tashe’s, I paid him his just due, but appropriated the overplus money to my own use. After this, my laborious occupation was continu- ed (though with casual intermissions) for several months together ; during which time I committed a series of petty thefts, among which was a fine

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flock of Turkies belonging to one of my honest neighbours. By methods of my contrivance, a bundle of wearing apparel, also, fell into my clutch- es, being the property of a man residing at some distance. This I conveyed to a private spring of water in Tashe’s pasture, where I reclined on its margin, to rest myself, and while away the hours, till evening advent should warrant some further re- moval. While in the midst of this imagined secu- rity, not dreaming of ill, I saw myself encircled, on a sudden, by a number of armed men, among whom was one Frost. Cloathing, it seems, had been lost by somebody, and those people had turned out in quest of me, as the only confirmed thief in the vi- cinity. Their coming was so very unexpected, that every possibility of absconding was out of the question ; on promise of good usage, therefore, I tamely surrendered both myself and cargo. Being brought before a magistrate, the affair was investi- gated ; but the person aggrieved refusing to swear to the goods, I was acquitted with honour. Neverthe- less Frost retained my bundle under colour of re- storing it to the primitive owner ; but I learnt, af- terwards, that he converted the contents to his own private use. As is my duty, I forgive this injury ; although I had often before that time received from the same man, many instances of similar treatment ; if he feel inwardly justified, I wish not to disturb his quiet, if otherwise, still I leave him to his own reflections. This I assert, however, that, if I fre- quently deserved chastisement, it was never for harming Frost or his property. Except for the above, I met with little disturbance, on the score of theft, for the major part of a year ;

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though, it must be allowed, that I drove a smart stick at such kind of business during that period. At last my old confederate, Ebenezer Hubbard, coming to Lee, we agreed to set out in Co. and try our luck at theft, as heretofore ; this determination was made, I think, in the year 1785. We travelled westerly, drawing but few prizes from fortune’s wheel, till we advanced as far as Number four ; here, we succeeded in stealing a couple of horses. We fled precipitately with the booty to Amherst, where thinking ourselves out of danger, we took lodgings, and gave a loose to every indulgence. Judge then of our surprise and cha- grin, when bounce into our apartment, came the owners of the stolen horses, with a sheriff at their heels, who made us both prisoners. On consulta- tion it was deemed advisable to carry us back to Number four ; but, when ready to embark, a trif- ling altercation took place respecting the horses. Finally, it was judged unsafe, that I should be trust- ed with the horse I had stolen, I must mount, therefore, another, their late purchase. This im- portant business adjusted, we began the procession, myself and Hubbard in the centre ; but had gone very few furlongs, ere I imagined that the horse assigned to my share was decidedly the fleetest in the whole troop. Having handled so many, I thought myself a competent judge ; therefore, in- tended, at all hazards, to outride my keepers, before our arrival at the place of destination. A few miles short of Number four was a level plain, four miles across. Coming to this place, I hardly supposed we should find a more convenient spot, in which to try our dexterity, at horseman-

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ship. Accordingly I stepped my nag into the van, and, Jehu like, set out, full tilt ; the guard pursu- ing with much heroism ; but seeing me gain ground every instant, they made a huge outcry for my halting. I turned a deaf ear, and before I was over the plain, had run my tardy followers quite out of sight. This atchieved, I wheeled behind a sconce of bushes, aloof from the road, and no sooner had the troopers shot by, than I gave once more full reins to my steed, and thus got off, with flying colours, to Pepperel in Massachusetts. Here I turn ed my horse to good account, and with the avails repaired to Lee ; to which place, in spite of the numerous perils and indignities I had suffered there, I still felt a powerful attachment. I soon learnt the fate of Hubbard ; he was escorted back to Num- ber four, but, after a short detention, was gener- ously dismissed by the captors. Soon after this, from one of my good neighbors, (who, in all conscience should be nameless) I took a valuable horse, rode him to Rockingham, in Ver- mont, and sold him for about fifty one dollars. On my return back, the injured man upbraided me with his loss. But, on his promising to take no advantage, I confessed the ” soul fact,” and agreed to attend him to Rockingham, in order to shew him the horse, he becoming sponsor for expenses on the path. The next morning, we set out on foot, and in four days, travelled to Rockingham, one hun- dred and twenty miles. After taking all these pains, my neighbor’s horse was, unfortunately, not to be found, having been sold, and carried off, no one could tell whither. This was a blank joke to the worthy man, who was loth to return home

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without accomplishing his errand. I told him, that seeing we were thus baulked, it could be no harm, in compensation of his misfortune, to take another horse ; he considered this a dangerous expedient ; in fact, he hardly knew what to think of it, although he was clear he ought to be made whole in some shape or other. However, at Number four, we made bold, as a single animal is lonesome, to take a horse each, the one from John Marsh, and the other from Capt. Weatherby. We proceeded with our acquisition to Amherst, eighty miles, where my partner, supposing himself out of harm’s way, proposed our alighting at a tavern ; but, while we were tippling very bountifully, in came Marsh with a sheriff, (one Grout,) who, very courteously con- ducted us back to Number four. Here a court was called, consisting of two justices, and our sentence was to pay about three hundred dollars, which fell entirely on my partner to discharge. This was not all ; we were ordered likewise to receive thirty lashes apiece, which, I found, were to be inflicted with a cat o’ nine tails. I received my share first ; when in consideration that I had led my accom- plice into this abominable scrape, I offered repeat- edly, to take his share of the punishment, also. But this being disallowed by the court, my honest parner was himself triced up. Never, I protest, did I see a man so unmercifully scared in my life. After receiving the flagellation, however, and giving proper security for the payment of damages, we were dismissed, and suffered to return home, though indeed, with sore hides, the result of so cutting a calamity. My concern was, in truth, far greater for my fellow sufferer, than myself ; not

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only because he had the whole money to advance, but, because my mischievous counsel and behaviour had caused his deplorable misfortune. Nothing memorable befel me, after this, till the winter ensuing, when the store of Mr. Jacob Sheafe, of Portsmouth, was broken open, and robbed of goods and money to some amount. One Jones in- formed, that he saw me conveying a large bundle through Portsmouth streets, that same night. This was enough to fix a suspicion upon me. An officer was therefore dispatched, who seized and conveyed me to Portsmouth, where the superior court was then in session. Jones swore as above, which caus- ed an order for my confinement in Exeter jail. I was not a little discomposed at this treatment, be- cause I knew myself to be perfectly innocent of the charge. However, as good luck would have it, some days after, my accuser, Jones, being snugly observed, a part of the stolen goods were found in his keeping ; in consequence of which he was tak- en up, and whipped, while I was liberated, and reimbursed by Mr. Sheafe, after the rate of one dollar per day. The same winter, the store of Mr. Eliphalet Smith, of Newmarket, being opened and plunder- ed of a parcel of goods. I was arrested on suspi- cion, as in the case of Mr Sheafe, and lodged wit- out another inquiry, in Exeter jail. I had been in custody about a week, when the real thief was de- tected, with sundry of the articles in his possession ; this served as a clear manifestation of my innocence, and as the medium of my speedy enlargement.

END OF BOOK II.

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[249]

NARRATIVE

OF

HENRY TUFTS.

BOOK III.

CHAPTER I.

Bright Venus, in her rosy car, Invites to scenes of harmless war, Young Cupid lends desire ; Sweet scenes, which tho’ they stop my breath, Cause but a momentary death, And fans the lover’s fire.

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BEING once more in possession of lib- erty, while of too restless a temper to enjoy its comforts, in domestic repose, I set out in quest of new scenes, and new adventures. Not long had I paced the varied amphitheatre of life, ere chance directed my steps to Greenland. Whether my good or evil genius conducted me thither, at this season, is a problem I cannot even now resolve. Whether I ought to felicitate myself on what befel me there ; or, to depore the conse- quent events, are mysteries, alike, too deep for my investigation. It so happened that I there saw, and conversed, for the first time, with a young woman

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whose name was Abigail Kennison, who resided with one William Foss, of that town. Though a widow she was both young and beautiful ; her manners soft and engaging, and her personal charms uncommonly attractive ; such, at least, did she ap- pear, at that period, in my, perhaps, too partial view. On further acquaintance, finding her dis- position amiable, I did not hesitate to pay her my devoirs, as a lover ; during which, being quite a stranger to her and the family, I palmed myself upon both, under the fictitious name of Gideon Garland. Once a week, for three months, I visited, privately, this alluring object of my vows, at the end of which term she unfortunatelly proved to be pregnant. Having a knowledge of her situation, I grew timorous of consequences, and discontinued my customary visits ; though, to conceal nothing, my feelings were greatly wounded by that restraint. My inclination plead strongly in her behalf ; for she had in fact, bewitched my fancy, and riveted my affection, in a manner, which no other woman had hitherto been able. For two long months, from my unmanly derelic- liction, she waited in patient expectation of my re- turn, without seeking the means of redress ; by that time, however, she had discovered my real name, and besides, that I was already married, and had a large family. Upon this unpleasing discov- ery, she went before a magistrate, and, legally charged me, on oath, with being the father of the child of which she was then pregnant. She then advertised me by letter, that seeing restitution by marriage was out of the question, if I would meet her in Stratham, the place of her former abode, at

HENRY TUFTS. 251

a time she particularised, the affair should be there settled in almost any manner, I might choose. Ac- cordingly, I sent her word, that I should not fail of attendance in obedience to her summons, and in this I was punctual ; but found to my surprise, that her honorable proposals terminated in her having an officer who seized me, the moment I entered the house. This treacherous proceeding, as I cer- certainly conceived it, did not a little ruffle my spirits.I had anticipated, no such treatment, and was, therefore, quite unprepared for defence. In a few minutes the officer, in accents of abuse and irri- tation, requested an explicit declaration of my in- tentions. ” You appear to be extremely knowing folks in business, said I ; how indeed am I to settle this ?” By paying the money, undoubtedly ; or, if you prefer it, by going to jail, replied the officer. ” I choose to go to jail, then, and you shall find out whether you have a fool to deal with or not.” Having uttered this, I was taken, first, before a magistrate, and then as a legal consequence, carried to Exeter jail, where, as the keeper was seeing me properly disposed of, I jocosely said, ” I have come to pay you another visit, Capt. Ladd ; but not in a criminal capacity, therefore you cannot put me in irons, this time.” Here, however, I stretched the truth. ” Yes I can, exclaimed he.” ” We’ll try your hand at it” repeated I. At this he gave vent to several reproaches ; but, after blustering awhile, thrust me into the best jail. Being thus confined, my mind was busily exer- cised in trying to devise ways and means to avoid paying for a child, which, nevertheless, I thought really my own. Though I really entertained a

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passion, however criminal, for the poor girl ; yet I resented the rough treatment, I had lately received at her instigation ; and resolved, how well soever I had deserved that treatment in fact, to lay a plan, to requite the transaction Many were my serious reflections, on this knottiest of subjects ; but still the proper measures to be pursued did not so readi- ly occur. At last however, I conceived, that, in case, I could bring the girl to settle, and take my security, while in prison, I should, in no wise, be compellable to discharge the security (in which, perhaps, I calculated without my host) or, if no other advantage accrued, I should obtain, at least, the privelege of absconding, which might serve my turn altogether as well. I concluded, therefore, to send her a letter, the first opportunity, with an offer of settlement either with herself or friends. But, as it happened, I was fortunately saved this trou- ble, for, on the third day of my imprisonment, two of the Selectmen of Stratham made me a visit, as well in behalf of the complainant, as of the town it- self. After a few cursory observations, it was ask- ed, what I allotted to do in relation to my impris- onment. ” Have you authority to settle, demand- ed I, ” Yes, our power is sufficient, as may appear by these papers.” Accordingly, knowing I had a horse in Exeter, and supposing, perhaps, I might own other property, they offered to discharge me on my giving an obligation for forty pounds, law- ful money. I acceded to this, and the jail doors being opened, they introduced a table, paper and ink, to conclude the business ; but while this was transacting, the gates were closed upon us all. A note of hand was then written for forty pounds,

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which I signed ; and they, on their side, gave me an acquittance against all further demands. This done, the doors were again set open, and I was in- formed, that I was at liberty to depart, when I saw fit. I marched out with the rest, and was ushered into the fitting-room, to talk the affair over, furth- er ; and in the mean time, to share, in their hon- orable company, a bowl or two of grog ; a matter of course on these occasions. As we sat drinking and chatting over the liquor, I said to them, in a rallying way, “Now that the business is so far com- promised, who shall pay for this bye-blow, you or I.” ” Who but yourself” cried they. ” Not so, Gentlemen, by your leave, retored I ; for, let me tell you, a prisoner’s obligation is irrecoverable in law, and consequently void.” ” Think you as much (quoth one of them) by my troth, I will have that question decided in a few minutes.” Without ad- dition of a syllable more, he suddenly left the house, with his colleague, and away they hied to confer with a certain gentleman of the profession, residing at Exeter. Having stated facts, shewn my obliga- tion and requested his opinion, they received, for their consolation, as they themselves acknowledged, a repetition of the doctrine, that I had so lately thundered in their ears. The obligation, he assur- ed them, was invalid, for that, I might plead duresse, at the time of making it, in abatement of any action they could bring ; so that, on the whole, he advised their compromising with the complain- ant, poor Nabby, in the best manner possible. With this unpleasing answer they posted back to the prison, not a little chagrined at having over- shot themselves thus, but finding it too late to X

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mend a bad bargain, they concluded to let it re- main as it was, so mounted their nags, and set out for the town of Stratham. Howe the difficulty was adjusted with Nabby, I do not remember to have made inquiry. Directly upon their departure, I called for my horse, discharged the bill of keeping, and returned to my family, feeling no small exultation, at the kind issue of an affair, which in the outset seemed to threaten me with long imprisonment and great perplexity. Scarcely had three days elapsed, before curiosity inticed me to revisit the comely Abigail, though I still felt a degree of indignation at my late rough usage. I was desirous of an interview, to learn the drift of her late conduct ; and to see in what man- ner she stood affected at the fruitless termination of her process. I knew not but this might be the last visit she would ever receive from me. When I entered her presence, I found her ab- sorbed in tears, and apparently in much trouble and affliction. I was both surprised and softened, at the sight of her distress. No sooner did poig- nancy of grief permit utterance, than she gave vent to her complaints in strains the most pathetic ; a faint speciment of which follows. ” Unfeeling man, (exclaimed she) your cruelty has undone me ; my peace and happiness are de- stroyed, forever ! Why, to compass my ruin, did you conceal your present marriage, your real situa- tion in life ? Why betray me with false promises, not in your power to perform ? Had I been appriz- ed of your conjugal connections, nothing could have bribed my consent to the lewd intercourse we have

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been guilty of, nor should temptations have allured me from the path of virtue and decency ! But now, alas ! the fatal die is cast ; my wretchedness is complete and remediless ; my reputation blasted forever, and destitute am I left of all earthly com- fort. Already have my friends forsaken, and my relatives slighted me ; yet those evils, however mortifying, I might perhaps have borne, but for the cruel disappointment I meet with in losing you, forever ; a loss injurious to my tenderest feelings, and afflictive to my aching heart ; for, on you, I had placed my whole love and dependance, and fondly looked forward to that hour, which should have united us in the nearest and dearest of ties ! But, alas ! how cruel, how bitter has been my dis- appointment, and how insupportable are my afflic- tions ! The only remaining consolation, is, that my calamities will be of short continuance on this side of the grave.” Here sighs and tears, intervening, obstructed her broken accents, and she was silent. The sight of her misery gave my heart a sympathedic pang, and sighs of compassion escaped from my swollen bosom. At that moment, I had made with cheerfulness, any sacrifice, however painful or great, to have lessened her distresses, or contributed to her peace of mind. ” Calm those fears, and cease those unavailing complaints, I beseech you, (cried I, taking her fond- ly by the hand) and believe me at all times your devoted friend. Believe me yet inclined, notwith- standing the trivial circumstance that has obstruct- ed our harmony, to render you every assistance in my power. My heart is not formed of such ob- durate materials, as to be insensible to your misfor-

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tunes, nor has my former love sustained the small- est diminution. On the contrary, most joyfully would I remove, to the extent of my abilities, all anxiety from your breast ; most gladly, contribute to the advancement of your felicity. Yes, my be- loved girl ! would you give me leave, most cheer- fully would I relinquish both family and friends, and seek with you, alone, some distant retreat, in which we might live together in love and happiness, unnoticed and unknown ; free from the obloquy of the malicious ; and where I might dedicate a whole life to make you happy.” ” Is the evidence of my senses to be trusted, (interrupted she) or is this the mere illusion of fancy ? Do I hear truth, or only dream ? Is it pos- sible you could thus abandon your native soil, your domestic endearments, and forego all for my sake ?” ” Nothing is more certain (exclaimed I) provided you assent to bear me company ; for you are, in- deed the mistress of my heart, and would richly compensate for every other bereavement.” ” If such be truly your sentiments (resumed she) I hold myself ready to participate in your good or ill, for- tune, and to attend your footsteps withersoever you may see fit to go.” Very gratefully did I thank her for the frankness and condescention she had manifested by this declaration ; very warmly, too, did I assure her of my unabating and perpetual love. Having thus disclosed our thoughts to each oth- er, we made a firm and faithful agreement to flee away, in concert, to some sequestered spot, far from the reach of those who might be able to molest us, or should be opposed to our union. However, as

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cold weather was just at the door, we thought fit to postpone departure, till the spring ensuing. In this way did we adjust all former grievances, and heal every subject of uneasiness. And now, that the storm of her passions had subsided, her mind grew calmer by degrees, till at length it re- covered its accustomed serenity ; this was an event which brought pleasure to my heart. Our sensations, our desires, were now in unison, and led us as powerfully to sanction this happy recon- ciliation, by devoting the remaining hours, to those soothing blandishments, which are indispensable on the adjustment of similar difference ; to those soft indulgencies, which should ever form the firmest cement of friendship and love. At bidding adieu I promised a renewal of customary visits at all sea- sonable opportunities. Parting from the woman of my heart, I returned home, full of the thoughts of my novel resolution, but anxious, at the same time, to keep the whole affair a profound secret, till I could carry it into complete execution. Meanwhile I paid my mistress a number of visits, through the course of the win- ter, and made all suitable provision for her approach- ing illness. If I happened to move the subject of our intended departure, a momentary dejection would sadden her countenance, and some expres- sion of reluctance escape from her lips. Her scru- ples were of the conscientious kind, as she appeared to be apprehensive, that my family would be injur- ed by our elopement. In the couse of the winter I ade a tour to Fairfield, a town lying northwardly of Pigwacket ; and as land was cheap in that quarter, I pitched x 2

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upon it as the place of our future retirement, should any paramour be disposed to attend me thither. With design to know her mind more fully on that important question, I paid her a visit early in the spring, found her in health, and was presented with the first pledge of our mutual love. No soon- er had we retired, than I addressed her, to the fol- lowing effect. ” My dear Nabby ! I have now come, on the wings of love and impatience, to visit you for the last time, as I trust, ere we shall bid adieu to these unkindly shores. I have presumed to call you mine, and it is a privilege I claim by all the ties of love and tenderness. The object of my present visit is to converse with you, the real mis- tress of my heart, and to know your mind more fully on the subject of our intended expedition. In a few days, if I meet with no obstruction on your side (which heaven forbid) I shall be in preparation for the commencement of our journey. I have considered that it may be best to repair to the town of Fairfield, because I have friends in that place, who are ready to receive us ; there we may reside, un- exposed to the shafts of the busy and revengeful. May I flatter myself with no demur on your part, or must I feel the pangs of disappointment, in a matter so near my heart ?” ” To confess truth, (replied she,) my mind is vesed with solicitude ; portentous cares disturb my rest, and betoken the approach of ill. What will your wife and family say, if you forsake them, entirely ? Will they not be reduced to misery and distress, and imprecate ven- geance on my devoted head, as the cause of their suf- ferings ? There is a principle within my breast, my actions notwithstanding, which tells me, it is un-

HENRY TUFTS. 259

lawful to part man and wife ; and that, if we ab- scond thus clandestinely, our lives will be attended with bitterness and woe.” ” Suffer not, said I, such gloomy apprehensions to distract your mind, nor fancy that our departure will operate to the damage of my family ; for, the fact is, I am deter- mined to leave home, at all events, even if denied your desirable company ; your conduct then, whe- ther you go or stay, can effect in no wise the desti- ny of mine. But if my charmer, continued I, had any portion of that love and regard for her devoted friend, which he bears towards her, she would never hesitate thus.” ” After the proofs I have given you, replied she, you can indulge no scruples of my tenderness, nor of the power you possess over my fate ; and if you are bent on quitting these parts, I must resign myself entirely to your superior judg- ment.” ” Then, said I, God willing, before the expiration of three weeks, I will wait upon you with a horse and carriage, and pray be in complete readiness ; we shall be able to take with us a few of the most necessary articles ; the rest I would have you dispose of to the best advantage.” Thus having arranged with the delight of my eyes, our whole plan of procedure ; I hasten to mention, that the next morning I returned home, and, with all due secrecy, made the necessary pre- parations for departure. Within the time, prefix- ed, I was at her habitation in Stratham, with my horse and a cart and wheels, for, in conscience, I could not dignify my homely vehicle with the ap- pellation of chaise. She was soon ready with her baggage, and we set off conjointly, she in the cart, but myself on foot, in the capacity of driver.

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I passed with the carriage through Lee, to take in a few articles, as yet there, in the hands of a trustee ; this, however, was a miscalculation, for, of necessity, I must now pass near my own house. My wife, too, had gained some inkling of our med- itated elopement ; wherefore, being much irritat- ed, she flew out of doors in a paroxysm of passion, and exclaimed with much volubility, ” I have often heard of hell upon trucks, but never had a sight of it before now.” To this most righteous invective I made no reply, but, leaving her in the height of her philippics, drove onward with great velocity, till quite out of sight and hearing of the family. The distance from Stratham to Fairfield is one hundred and thirty miles, and it was our intention to remove thither, without useless loitering upon the passage. While this lengthy migration was performing, fortune bequeathed not a single indig- nant frown, nor played us one antic trick ; on the reverse, our whole tour was but a scene of varied recreation. We proceeded by slow and easy stages, and received, from every quarter, the kindest hos- pitality on the road. Two whole weeks were con- sumed in this journey ; but at last we had the sat- isfaction to reach the desired harbour, in prime spirits, and to put up at the house of Joseph Jack- son, whom I regarded as a peculiar friend. As Fairfield was at that period but thinly inhab- ited, the best land was obtainable, on very moder- ate conditions. Hard by my place of residence, was a tract, containing one hundred and seventy acres, for sale, of a superior quality. As I intend- ed to settle in this quarter, I disposed of my horse, and every other article I could spare, and purchas-

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ed that valuable tract. After which acquisition, I made not useless delays, but proceeded heartily to work, at falling trees and clearing land. In this business I made so rapid a progress, that my neigh- bors assured me I should soon have a good farm. My prospects continuing to brighten, I built a house, resolving to sit down contentedly for life, and bid adieu to my roving forever. With my new companion, whose mental endow- ments were excellent, and whose disposition was extremely agreeable, I now lived in love and har- mony, enjoying more real quiet, than I had seen for many years before. Each day added to the flattering probability, that Fairfield was to become the requiem of my toils. I saw nothing now to blight my hopes or disturb my tranquility, except the fears I yet harbored, lest haply I might lose my land by prosecutions for former miscarriages. To remedy this imaginary evil, I laid a plan to save my purchase, by conveying it, through the medium of a deed, to Jackson, my near neighbor, and, as I then supposed, firm friend. I conferred with him, on the subject, told him my apprehensions, and the resolution I had formed of putting my land, for safety, into his hands, as into those of a friend, in whom I could repose unlimited confidence. He approved of the calcula- tion, and promised to be faithful in whatever trust I might choose to invest him. Accordingly, with- out further reflection, and even without exacting counter security, I gave him a good deed of my whole land, which he was to reconvey to me at an hour’s warning.

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After this transaction, having a mixture of con- cerns to adjust, at Lee, and New-Market, the place of my nativity, I made an excursion to those parts, and there collected a number of small debts, which had been a long time due. After this, I negociat- ed sundry other important matters, and bade fare- well to all my friends, not expecting to revisit them for some time to come. Departing hence I made the best of my way homeward, till, on the path, I met with a vaga- bond Frenchman, who persuaded me to help him steal a brace of fat sheep. Just as we had dressed them, the owner caught us in the fact, and obliged us to refund two other live sheep, and pay him ex- emplary damages : This scandalous piece of busi- ness impeded my journey for several days. But another mishap, far more grievous than the one just related, befel me at this juncture ; for I must here relate, that while I was absent from Fair- field, a man, called Esq, Dow, went to that town with a pretended sheriff named Allen, in quest (as he said) of a horse, stolen by Henry Tufts, from Dow’s father. In searching for my property, he heard of the conveyance I had made of my land, therefore, went and requested jackson to give him a quit claim, bidding seventy-five dollars, by way of inducement ; but threatening to drag him to jail, in event of his non-compliance. Jackson, disliking the requisition, persisted in refusal one whole day ; but, being ignorant of the affairs of law, he, at last, was so far intimidated and wrought upon by Dow’s threats and persuasions together, that he gave him a deed of my whole land, for which he received seventy-five dollars, the gratuity promised.

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Dows [sic] greediness was far from being satiated by this acquest ; for he next repaired, with his engine of iniquity, Allen, to my dwelling-house, where those remorseless knaves, in spite of all my house- keeper could say, or do, to the contrary, pillaged it of every valuable article ; and, without legal au- thority, sold the whole at vendue, in which they were assisted by one Jesse Barker, who bought a part of the goods. Dow was now about to decamp ; but the people of Fairfield, supposing I should hear of the catas- trophe, and not return ; insisted on Dow’s convey- ing my housewife to Stratham, her former resi- dence, or, at least, some part of the way thither. To satisfy their murmurs he consented, though re- luctantly, and set out with her for Conway, in Pig- wacket ; between which town and Fairfield there was then a large tract of woods, twenty-four miles in length, without a single inhabitant. As it hap- pened the way was rough, and our travellers so be- lated, that encamp they must, all night, in the wil- derness. Having whiled away the sleepless hours till morning dawn, Dow, with some others, arose from the dewy couch, and renewed his journey ; leaving Allen, who was unready to start, to conduct Abigail to Conway. As the gentleman last named (if the appellation, when applied to him, be not a profanation of terms) had a few amorous ingredi- ents in his composition, he shewed a vehement in- clination, before resuming his journey, to dance Sallanger’s round with his tempting charge, seeing he had her alone in the bushes. Each art was tried, and every method attempted to win her con- sent, but she as constantly resisted his advances.

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At last, finding her inexorable, and that bribes and intreaties were alike fruitless, he grew outrageous, and drawing out his knife, he swore he would finish her on the spot, if she obstructed the gratification of his wishes. Unmoved by these menaces, she was virtuously steadfast in her refusal, till Allen, whose ardour knew no bounds, caught hold of his intended prey, and endeavored by main force, to rifle those charms, which he despaired of tasting by other methods. His female opponent made the best possible resistance, and in the long struggle, received upo her fair bosom two cuts from Allen’s knife. The scene was horrid in the extreme, but the hasty ravisher, struck at the sight of blood, as it issued amain from the wounds he had inflicted, and thinking too, that her fortress of virtue was impregnable, desisted from his ungodly undertak- ing. Allen, however, was much chagrined at the mortifying rebuff, while the injured fair, her spirits ruffled, and strengh exhaused, sat down at a dis- tance. Tears fell from her eyes, but, after the respite of a minute or two, she arose to take the horse, wishing to abandon the detested spot. Allen prevented her, swearing he would leave her to perish in the wilderness, as a punishment for her obstinacy. She was vastly agitated, insomuch that the ruffian was afraid to execute his menaces, and finally, gave her the horse while he went on foot, in which order they advanced to Conway. She applied immediately to the next Magi- strate, complained of Allen’s violence, and took out a warrant against him. A number of men turned out to assist in taking the culprit, but did not overtake him, till he had reached Eaton, where they found

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him at a grist-mill, waiting while his horse should champ a feed of corn. A sharp conflict ensued. Allen defended himself resolutely with his knife, and cut the hand of the foremost assailant, then darting through the midst of them, he made off, like a sturdy fellow, toward the thickets. The wounded man, pursued, with a cudgel, overtook and knocked Allen down, swearing he should sur- render or die. Others running up to the com- batants, Allen was secured, and, presently after, conducted to the main road in Eaton. Here I met them on my passage to Newmar- ket. Dow, observing me, stept up with two of his myrmidons, saying, ” I will secure you.” Accord- ingly, they took me prisoner, and hurried me away into the woods ; it being their drift to prevent my yielding succour to my mistress, or being present at Allen’s examination and trial. In this manner was I harassed and bamboozled, by those insidious knaves. Meantime, my faithful female, indignant at such treatment, like a true amazon, mustered seven or eight men, and placing herself at their head, sallied out for my rescue. Dow, at sight of those people, drew out a pistol, and presenting it to my breast, swore he would blow me through, if I moved a single step. My blood boiled at the tyrannical mandate, yet prudence restrained me, till my rescuers should have gotten within shot ; but no sooner did this happen, than, by a sudden coup de main, I knocked the pistol from Dow’s hand, and hurled it toward my friends. The he- roic Nabby seized the pistol, and advancing to- ward Dow, (virago like) protested she would shoot him with his own weapon, if he did not instantly Y

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set me free. Dow refused, declaring I was his prisoner, and threatening, with the utmost severity of the law, his annoyers, should they attempt the smallest interference. At this moment one of the company running up, smote Dow upon the back of his hand with a fusee, and fractured three of the bones ; this was a decisive blow, and put an end to the contest. having regained my liberty, we were preparing to set off for the Justice’s house, with a view to be present at Allen’s trial ; but we had not proceeded ten rods, ere obliged to halt on Dow’s account, whose hand grew so painful, he could proceed no further. I undertook the office of surgeon, seeing no other was near, and replaced the bones, in the best order possible, binding up the wound with a linen handkerchief. This done, we all repaired to Capt. Wood’s, in Eaton, where we found Allen in custody. Here my companion gave me a particular detail of the mischief perpetrated by Dow and Allen, in their stripping me of all the property I possessed on the face of the globe, and of the shocking treat- ment that she herself had particularly sustanied from the hands of Allen. Had I ever rendered my despoilers any injury, had I given them cause of complaint, I could now have borne, less indig- nantly, their nefarious conduct ; but such was not the case, for in truth, I never was principal or ac- cessary in stealing horse or other property from Dow or his father, during my existence. At the diabolical devices, then, of Dow and Allen, I felt the utmost indignation, and threatened both with plenary vengeance, the moment I should be at lib-

HENRY TUFTS. 267

erty to take them to task. Allen could expect no lenity by reason of his atrocious attack upon Nabby, he was, therefore, quite anxious to compromise that part of the tragedy. To this end, he made us sundry proposals ; but, at last, offered his horse, saddle and bridle, which, after some consultation, we accepted, and gave him a discharge in full. This being settled, we went forward to Fairfield, to look after the wreck of our affairs there, and to visit Jackson, who had betrayed, so preposterously, my ill-placed confidence. I wished, among other things, to be thoroughly satisfied, whether he had really intended roguery, or not. On meeting, I reproached him with his venieality, his perfidy, in bartering away my land for a song, miserably sung ; demanded the seventy five dollars, he had received of Dow, and intimated my expectation of further reimbursements ; but, to my great surprise, he refused paying even the paltry sum I demanded. The case was, by no means, even dubious ; no remedy, beyond expostulation, was left me, for I had neglected counter security, when I gave him the deed. In a word ; as my ill fortune would have it, I finally lost my land, and got nothing therefor, it being a clear case, that my credit was at too low an ebb at court, to undertake the prose- cution of Jackson or Dow. However, as my companion in sadness was legal owner of all the goods sold at vendue, she brought an action against Jesse Barker, for taking them from her house, and it justly cost him a god horse to compromise the affair. I must also take notice, that a short time after this, Dow disposed of my lind for five hundred dollars, and that, in fact, it

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has mortified my feelings, even to this day, to see into how excellent a farm it has been made. Very possibly (do I sometimes exclaim) might that farm have yet continued my own, but for the folly and treachery of a pretended friend. O ! truth, probity, justice ! were you visible to mortal eyes, how captivating would be your charms ! On the contrary, what a frightful figure do fraud, fal- lacy and deception compose ! The poet and phi- losopher have exerted their ablest powers in eulo- gy of the former, and in shewing the horrid nature of the latter ! those are, indeed, the props and or- naments of society ; these, the plagues and curses of human life ! !

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CHAP. II.

Accepto, claduenda est janua, damno.

When the steed is stolen, shut the stable door.

---

AS the unfortunate event, recapitulat- ed in the last chapter, had been quite unexpected, my situation seemed desperate in extreme. I found myself stripped, at one blow, of all worldly proper- ty, and reduced to a state of absolute indigence, having nought wherewith I might procure, even the necessaries of life. In this deplorable conjunc- ture I could devise no remedy, no mode of relief ; my fortitude, as well as presence of mind, forsook me entirely, and I sunk under the pressure of de- sponding care. I now bitterly reflected on myself for having the simplicity to put the least confidence in Jackson, and cursed my folly a thousand times, for having trusted the land out of my own hands. But my mistake was not in a situation to be recti- fied ; repentance came too late, and was, conse- quently the more tantalizing to my feelings. Good God ! thought I, in what a signal manner have I lived, the sport and football ever, of mali- cious fortune ! What a perverse fatality has attend- ed me through every scene of my wretched exist- ence ! Has not each succeeding disaster been more intolerable than the former, and, indeed, every undertaking through life, altogether unprosperous ? So gloomy and distressing were my cogitations, that the only comfort I received, was from the society Y 2

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of my sympathizing mistress, whom I resolved not to abandon, more especially, on this trying emer- gency. Of a truth, I had cause to thank my obliging companion for her superlative kindness at the un- prosperous season I am now describing. With much tenderness did she endeavor to soothe and divert my uneasiness, and to alleviate my accumu- lated burthens, yet without avail ; since,

On downy beds there’s no repose, For him, who no contentment knows ; Still less can that unhappy wight Take quiet rest on straw by night.

In short, when she found my discontent to be permanent, and that nothing had efficacy to dispel my grief, she advised our quitting Fairfield ; it had, indeed, been to use, the scene of wretchedness and woe. ” Yes ! (repeated I emphatically) it has been woe, unallayed with a single ingredient, that should induce our longer stay ; I will, therefore, pack up the little all that fortune has spared us, and, attend- ed by you, my faithful companion, quit the town in disgust, and travel, as chance may direct the way.” Shortly after this, goaded by poverty, we began a journey, westwardly, and passed, first through Coos, then continued our tour, till, after a tedious and troublesome march, barren of much incident, we arrived at the town of Norwich in Vermont. Here feeling inclinable to repose, after the amaz- ing fatigue we had encountered, we tooke shelter, for a few days, at the house of one Johnson. Our subsistence, in this route, had been derived from the same sources as formerly. Many people,

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hearing of my long residence among the Indian tribes, had conceived a high opinion of my medical faculties, and were therefore very fond of my pre- scriptions ; while the younger sort flocked, in my train, to learn their future fortunes, as though I had been the grand depositary of the secrets of destiny. Sometimes, too, did the elderly approach my levee to enquire for lost goods, so that I had business enough, and was generally received with a hearty good welcome, go whither I would. In- deed I found it no way difficult to cajole my ignor- ant followers into the belief of whatever idle tale I was pleased to fabricate ; how easy to deceive is the unreflecting multitude ! In respect to myself, it was the concurrent opin- ion, that I must be an extraordinary wizard, com- plete master of the black art, and able to employ the agency of the devil, whenever I saw fit. The belief of those things I endeavored to cultivate, well knowing, that reputation is sometimes of more advantage, in our intercourse with the generality of mankind, than are real acquirements, because a fool may possess it. Having tarried at Johnson’s a few days, and ob- tained a tolerable degree of rest and refreshment, we had thoughts of renewing the toils of our pere- grination, but having grown familiar with Mrs. Johnson, and the rest of the family, she was par- ticularly urgent for our longer stay, to the end I might help her husband in the management of his farm. Johnson’s sentiments were in unison with his wife’s ; and as a more eligible place of settle- ment did not arise to view, we consented to the wishes of the family, and agreed to tarry in their

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hospitable mansion, at least, for the present season. I engaged with alacrity in the service of Johnson, and received such good treatment, both from him and his wife, that I regained, insensibly, my usual serenity, and forgot, in a measure, the losses I had sustained at Fairfield. Besides, being blest with the company of my charming mistress, whom I es- teemed more than all other women, I thought I had reason to felicitate myself on the prosperity of my present condition ; because I was particularly exempted from such evils as had formerly disturb- ed my happiness. While this agreeable scene continued,

Industry cheer’d the day, love crown’d the night, Presenting objects gay, diffusing soft delight.

The same happy posture of things remained sta- tionary for nearly the round of a year ; but towards its close, an unlucky occurrence intervened, which affected my peace, and destroyed my repose ; the particulars are briefly the following. One day, I purchased asmall quantity of leather, of one Benjamin French, and sold an Ichabod Mar- shal enough of the same to make him a pair of shoes. About the time this was done, Elisha Part- ridge lost a quantity of leather out of his tan pits, and from the circumstance of my selling leather, he became suspicious that I had stolen his. On that ground he had me arrested by special warrant, and carried before Esq. Burton for trial. As my wit- nesses were not present, the court was adjourned, I finding bail for re-appearance. On the day of trial, I carried French, of whom I had bought the leather, and some others, as wit- nesses ; Marshal’s shoes being produced, French

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swore to the fact of his tanning the shoeleather, but the complainant Partridge and his two appren- tices affirmed, that the leather had been tanned in their own yard. Thus were the testimonies dia- metrically opposite. Further, by the witnesses it appeared, that French, in tanning, made use of oak bark, principally, but that Partridge, for that pur- pose, used hemlock bark, only. French shewed also, that the leather, under consideration, had been tanned chiefly with oak bark ; thus stood the facts ; yet, after all, the justice gave judgment against me, and in the end, I had to pay thirty two dollars, which I had earned, every one of them, by the se- verest labour and toil. This michief befel me, merely because the justice was not a tanner, and, therefore, ignorant of leather, as indeed, of most other things ; while the footing of the unjust bill devoured all the neat earnings, that I collected while residing at Norwich. My term with Johnson having expired, I re- moved to Bennington. Here a certain man, per- ceiving myself and partner to be itinerants, offered me the tending ot his gristmill at the halves ; which task, having, then, no prospect of better employ- ment, I undertook, and was therefore obliged to abide pretty much at home, while at this place, be- ing the greater part of a year. But to be thus re- stricted not corresponding with my cast of mind, I left the town ; repaired to Pownald in Vermont, and dwelt in a house belonging to Josiah Barber. This place, I made my home, for a number of months, and, for the support of myself and family, practiced physic the whole time, gadding about quack like, far and near, in the character of Indian

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doctor. By this conduct, I made out to live, gen- erally, as well as heart could wish, and to lay some- thing by, against future necessities. While residing at Pownald, I made an excursion to Waterbury in Connecticut, and put up for the night at a new tavern, just opened in that town. The landlord had lately moved into the house, but not having brought home the whole of his furni- ture, I was obliged, much against my will, all may suppose, to lodge in the same room with a young woman, who was a guest there, as well as myself. I had been in bed about one hour, when, in the adjacent room, I heard a rough voice vociferating, loudly, ” God d—-n it ! where is my axe ?” I was greatly alarmed, at the exclamation, thinking, some miscief most certainly intended. I listened, but the bustle without, continuing, with a clangor, ill suited to alleviate my apprehensions, finally, much like a coward to be sure, sprang out of bed in my then situation, and pushing up the window, attempted to jump through, but my linen being caught by a nail, I was held fast in the passage. The young woman screamed, as all pretty women will, ” murder,’” when instantly the door of our apartment flew open, and in bolted with wildness of aspect, the landlord, to enquire the cause of the uproar. Instead of answering queries, I demand- ed, the moment I could disengage myseslf from the window) what he meant by calling for his axe at that late hour. He replied, that having taken sev- eral of his children into bed, they had so besmear- ed him from head to foot, that he had been hunt- ing for an axe, to make a fire, by which to cleanse himself. Repeating this, he left us ; wherefore,

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the mystery being thus solved, I returned quietly to my lodging. But the young woman’s fright, as was also natural, subsided not. She appeared to be still more alarmed as the danger disappeared, and refus- ed to be soon comforted, beseeching me, in accents of terror, to protect her from harm. I assured her she had nothing to apprehend, for that the noise had been occasioned by a mere blunder of my own ; yet, if she deemed herself unsafe, I advised her to sleep, for better security, in the same bed with me. To this she made some demur ; yet, soon after, as I wished, embraced the proposal ; and to say truth, which I always intend, I was as highly pleas- ed with the person of my fair associate, during the residue of the night, as I was anxious to obliterate an idea of the terrifying adventures of the evening. The next morning we arose early from our de- licious banquet, and, not regarding the invitation of the host, to stay to breakfast, called for our horses and immediately departed. On her way, I escort- ed my new acquaintance several miles, but before parting, invited her into an inn, and gave her break- fast, then bade adieu, and journeyed toward Pow- nald, meeting with nothing worth recital till I reached home. Soon after this, I removed with my partner Nabby, and two children, to Wallingford in Ver- mont, where we abode some time. Here I procur- ed a habit, befitting a doctor of physic, and set out on foot to make a tour through the country. Rov- ing along I came to a place near Number four, where I halted at an inn, and was presently joined by a female guest, who had fortunately requested lodgings for the night. With this miss, who was

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indeed amiable, I soon scraped acquaintance, and so contrived matters, that one bed sufficed for us both until morning ; I then attended her in quality of a lover, to her father’s house, seven miles distant. Here certain seeming casualties protracted our courtship for the length of eight days, at the end of which I forsook my elysium by bidding the young lady farewell for the present. Hence I pro- secuted my journey in a circuit toward home, and the first night brought me to a tavern, occupied by a beautiful young and debonair widow. Finding this woman approachable, I made immediate love to her cheek, as delays are dangerous, boasted of my great riches, and, to speak all in a word, ob- tained her favor to the utmost latitude of my wishes. Having dallied in her company two nights, I took my leave with assurances of a speedy return, and straightway revisited my Abigail. At the end of two weeks I paid the blooming widow another visit, and was most cordially receiv- ed. In fine, we agreed upon marriage. But on my urging the declaration, when I might hope for its consummation, she replied, that to save the speech of people, it was her mind to cut the matter short ; so we named a time, in which I was to come and stay with her, till the nuptial ceremonies should be over. Having settled the preliminaries with this agreeable woman, and partaken largely of her favors, I departed ; but it was not my inten- tion, nor in fact, did I ever happen, to set eyes on her more. The above is one of those unhallowed transactions, which though they please some read- ers, should afford no kind of satisfaction to the per- petrator, in the retrospect ; of a truth, this and

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parallel instances of infidelity and deception fill me with shame and remorse, whenever they occur to mind. On my way home, I passed, one evening, near a certain farm house, where seeing some clothes hanging upon a line, I ventured up, and grasped a man’s shirt. At that instant a young woman came out to strip the line ; but not finding the shirt, she cried out to her mother, ” I can’t find grandfath- er’s shirt.” ” No matter, said the mother, you will find it in the morning.” Knowing, however, she would experience a disappointment, I hastened along, and made out to reach home the next day. Soon after, I commended to my partner a speedy removal to Connecticut, or Newyork, alledging, as the cause of my wishing to reside in one of those States, that I had friends and connections in both. As she expressed entire resignation to my better judgment, I packed up our scanty all, and with the family, consisting of my temporary wife and two children, directed my course to Connecticut, but finding, in that State no situation quite to our lik- ing, I continued roving, till we had penetrated be- yond the middle of Newyork. My finances, by the time of finishing this ex- pensive tour, were brought to the very lowest ebb, so that to support myself and family, with any sort of decency, required diligence, dexterity and fi- nesse. Maugre all care, our straits were sometimes pressing ; yet, with much cheerfulness, I exerted every nerve, the better to sustain the woman of my heart, and the tender offspring of our mutual love. In no one place did we abide long at a time, but followed a straggling, irregular life, till heartily sick of so many unceasing migrations. Z

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One day, as I was travelling to pick up a small matter of money by doctoring, I happened to ap- proach a well looking house ; when, feeling a de- gree of fatigue, iwent in, though merely with an intent to rest my weary bones, for a few short minutes. Here I learnt that the man of the house was very low in health, having been confined to his chamber with a lingering illness, for a long time. On requesting to see the invalid, I was in- troduced into his apartment, and after a short discourse, forgot not to intimate my profession as a doctor. Hearing this, the spectre of a man de- sired me to feel his pulse, and communicate what I thought of the nature of his disorder. I did so, and hinted, that by exposing himself to cold, un- wholesome weather, and the noxious damps of nightly air, he had contracted so vicious a habit, that he never could shake off, (unless by great care) the effects of his imprudence. He asked if I could supply him with any thing sanative in his situation. I told him I could ; and, immediately gave him a variety of medecines, with instructions for their ap- plication. He then enquired if I had received no item of his situation prior to my arrival at the house. I answered in the negative ; for, indeed, I had hard no more of the man, than the bare men- tion of his name, as Doctor such a one ; but by that clue I had drawn conjectures as to the nature of his disease. Finding me, at length, about to depart, he requested my bill ; but I let him know, I should submit that entirely to his own generosity. After a short pause, he insisted upon knowing my de- mand, though, he said, he had made up his mind from which he should never swerve. I was still

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reluctant ; yet, as he seemed so urgent for my naming a sum, I told him, he might give me about a dollar. “Twelve, said he, will be little enough ; do, my dear, (speaking to his wife) take them from my bureau, and present them to the gentleman.” I was really unwilling to receive so large a com- pensation, for a service costing me so little ; but he insisted upon my taking the whole, saying, his own calling, of a long time, had been similar to mine, and that my account respecting his frequent ex- posure to intemperate weather, and nocturnal efflu- vias, had been literally true. Thanking the gen- tleman for his liberality, and wishing him a speedy recovery, I took my leave, and a while after, had the satisfaction of hearing, that my patient had re- gained a complete state of health, and was practis- ing physic, as formerly. For a number of months back, my chief earnings had been derived from medical channels, and I may here say, with propriety, that my experience in medicine, however small, afforded me frequent re- lief, when destitute of all other resources. My amiable companion, at this period, grew discontent- ed with our itinerary mode of life, and was so im- portunate for my returning nearer to the place of her nativity, that I even acceded to her wishes, and removed back, to Connecticut first, and soon after to Marblehead, in the Bay State.

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CHAP. III.

Oft, when incautious man forebodes no ill, But fondly dreams of greater blessings still, Does keen affliction mark him for its prey, And as a besom, sweep his joys away.

---

IN Marblehead, I hired a room in a house belonging to Lawyer Sewall, and having purchased some apothecary’s drugs, and gathered such a farrago of roots, herbs, barks, &c. as clearly entitled me to the reputation of a pharmacopolist at least ; I commenced business upon a more exten- sive scale than heretofore, visiting many patients, and having employment both from high and low. With so much diligence did I attend to my appro- priate functions, that I cleared, one time with anoth- er, at least three dollars per day. This tide of suc- cess remained stationary the whole time of my em- ployment at Marblehead, which was nearly six months, and the same of the notable cures I effect- ed, extended to no small distance. Thus was I prospered, at this period, in all my lawful undertakings, and meant to pursue the same, still, in a way of truth and uprightness, not once dreaming of the fatal calamities now in embryo, and which I was on the eve of suffering ; calamities neither to be avoided nor procrastinated. My luckless journal has now arrived at that dread epoch of my life, by me never to be forgotten ; when the most trying event, or rather tissue of events, of my chequered existence, received their

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unwelcome birth and consigned me a devoted vic- tim, to woes unnumbered, and bordering upon the confines of death. Although particular remem- brance of those disastrous scenes are painful in the extreme, and my lacerated mind recoils at their re- collection, yet a just regard to truth compels me to lay them before the patient reader. In the spring of the year, 1793, I bought of a John Stewart, one silver table spoon, and five tea- spoons of the same metal, (would to God I had never set eyes on them or him !) He told me he found them in clearing out a cellar, as he came from Philadelphia. Stewart being bare of cloath- ing, I supplied him with a fustian coat, and a pair of stockings, by way of payment, and thought no more of the transaction. My little family made daily use of the spoons ; but one morning, while I was eating breakfast, a young woman entered my apartment, who happen- ed to espy and know them. Leaving the house, away she posted to the former owner, Daniel Ja- cobs, of Danvers, and informed him of the circum- stance. My apprehension was the immediate con- sequence of this. I was presently convened before Esq. Sewall, and questioned, as to the manner of my acquiring the articles ; my answer to the court, was, that I had bought them of one John Stewart. For this man, then, immediate search was made ; he was found, brought forward, and examined, but his testimony was hardly so explicit as I had wished ; however, it amounted pretty nearly to a confession, that he had sold me the spoons. Thus far all was right, and I thought myself in expectation of a ready acquittal, as soon as Stewart should be brought z 2

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to a proper acknowledgement of the truth, which, saving self crimination, I expected he would. But a certain sheriff, (who was, as was generally the case, no friend of mine) being present, and fearing, I conclude, that Stewart would confess all, to his own detriment without doubt, called him aside, to sift, as I then thought, something more from the witness. What their private conference was, I know not, but Stewart immediately took leg bail, and made his escape ; never after was it, most unfortunately, in my power, to investigate the place of his retreat. By the above and other proceedings, it was plain, that my adversaries were contriving to fasten upon methe crime of burglary, in respect to Jacobs’ house, of which enormity, God knows, I was then, as I am now, entirely innocent. I had no other witness than Stewart, whose testimony could assist me, in the least ; I could, therefore, make no further de- fence ; and the shocking result of the whole, was, my commitment to Salem jail, there to abide trial at the sitting of the next supreme court. My housekeeper, Nabby, however adulterous our connection, was deeply afflicted at this most un- lucky turn of my affairs. How piercing to my heart were her complains, her tears, and lamenta- tions ! With what infinite regret did I leave, at this fatal period, her amiable society, and that of our innocent and beloved children, in exchange for the dreary mansions of a jail ! But fate, cruel fate, had thus ordained the series of events, and to its rigid decrees I must submit of necessity. Our parting scene was tender, was affecting, far beyond my feeble skill of utterance. Scarce did

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the smallest ray of hope soothe my imagination, that the exulting joy would return to me, of parti- cipating, again, in the cares or the comforts of my little family ; but on the contrary, gloomy pre- sages of the nameless miseries awaiting, erected their dark dominion over the strongest powers of my fancy. The sheriff, named above, led me to the horrid mansion pointed out for my present reception ; and when the grating bolts announced a close, an insu- perable bar, ” seem’d plac’d ’twixt happiness and me.” Ten desponding days, I lingered, in ” durance vile,” without a straggling ray of hope to beam on my benighted mind ; but at the end of those days of torment, I received a visit, welcome, though, at the grates, from a man and woman of former ac- quaintance. They purposely gave me much verbal abuse ; but, at the same time, furnished me, pri- vately, with two compass saws, a screw auger, and gimblet ; and having rendered me this capital and unexpected service, took their leave, by bidding me ” a speedy passage to the gallows.” This unexpected turn of fortune in my favor, so far removed disconsolate reveries, that, with the implements, I fell briskly to work, in the sanguine hope of cutting a passage through the walls of the prison. After a tiresome operation, I brought the process near its completion ; when unluckily, at a critical moment, I was betrayed by a negro prison- er, who informed the keeper of my design. My removal to Ipswich jail, the strongest, esteem- ed, in the county, was the consequence of this dis- aster, but I had the address, as I thought fortu-

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nately, to secrete a compass saw between the outer and inner soles of my shoe. I had been cooped in this latter prison scace twenty four hours, ere I began a resolute attack upon the grates, and so very rapidly drove my purpose, that, in three days, I sawed off all the irons, apertaining to one of the windows. My success thus far had been brilliant ; every thing seemed to concur in favoring my escape, insomuch, that I fixed upon the next evening for breaking bulk. How did my heart leap, at this juncture ! how palpitate after that liberty, which, I thought myself on the verge of realizing ! again, with what rapture did I anticipate the pleasing fe- licity, which, in some secluded spot, I might enjoy, in the arms of my dear mistress ! How vexatiously mortifying, then, was my disappointment, when I saw my plan of escape once more defeated. The keeper had made discovery of the whole ; at first I knew not how, yet, afterwards learnt, that, to one Lumber, a shoplifter, were my thanks due for the revelation of the secret. The prison keeper rebuked me sharply for the mischief done to the jail, and then ordered my removal into another cell, of superior strength to the former. Now, as a punishment for late mis- demeanors, and for better security, I was strongly handcuffed, and chained, by one foot to the floor. Fortunately, however, I still retained my little saw, and the day of trial drawing near, I spent no time heedlessly, but fell industriously to work, and cut through my shackles in such a peculiar way, that I could put them off and on, at pleasure. Thus was I at liberty to explore the limits of this horrid cell ; but, on research, it proved so invincibly strong that

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most people, I think, would have abandoned the thoughts of attempting its fracture, deeming the task altogether romantic. But, as I had learnt by long apprenticeship, to encounter any difficulties, where was visible the least prospect of success ; so now, with patient pains, I began the elaborate pro- cess of digging through the floor. This was a tedious undertaking, by means of the interruptions I experienced, continually, not only from casual visitors, but also from the prisoners themselves, who obliged me to use extreme caution, as the least disturbance in my cell was a sufficient token for alarm. I was thus critically circumstanced ; yet, in spite of the many obstructions that environed me, on all sides, I succeeded so far, in the course of a week, by dint of perseverance, as to drill a hole quite through the flooring. Its circumference was ample, and afforded me an easy gangway into the pris- on office, or vault, which, by the feeling, I thought might be penetrated with a mere trifle of pains. Upon the whole, no obstacles seemed capable of impeding my exit, save a quantity of dirt and stones, which lay beneath the floor, and which I found must be removed, to falicilitate a sub passage into the jail yard. These difficulties were soon vanquished, except, that one huge stone lay across the way, so as to afford insufficient room for passing it, on either side. This was an impediment I had not anticipated ; it was now obvious that no door of escape could be opened, unless the fatal rock, should by some stratagem, be displaced. The task ap- peared Herculean, yet I set about it with all the fortitude I could muster. In the first instance my

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efforts turned to the sinking of it by undermining ; but, after repeated trials and much labour expend- ed, that method proved impracticable. I next es- sayed to dislodge it by the help of a small pry, but it stubbornly refused to give ground to the feeble instruments within my limits. For three whole days and nights did I wreck my invention, and waste my utmost strength, in plot- ting and executing ways and means to surmount this only remaining obstacle to my freedom ; yet did constant disappointment attend all my exer- tions ; the fatal rock was not to be removed. Faint and dispirited with bootless toil and sleep- less nights, I sat down upon a bench, wholly re- signing myself to those gloomy thoughts which the idea of my situation naturally inspired. Hitherto I had flattered myself with the prospect of atchiev- ing a deliverance, by breaking the prison walls ; but this last hope, like ” the baseless fabric of a vision,” had now vanished into air, and left but a span for the arrangement of new measures. Indeed, the day of my impending trial was near at hand ; a day much dreaded, the mere thoughts of which, alas, staggered my resolution, and agitated my enfeebled frame. Wishing, however, a momentary respite from the pressure of distracting care, I stretched my limbs, exhausted with ceaseless watchfulness and toil, up- on a bed of straw, seeking alleviation from repose ; but gentle sleep refused to shed its wonted, balmy blessings on my head. The whole of this depress- ing night to me was sleepless ; and nearly in the same sad situation was I when the Thursday next following the second Tuesday in June, 1793, (the

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same being the day of trial) made its ill boding ap- pearance. About eleven o’clock in the forenoon, the sher- iffs conducted me from the prison to the court house, where the solemnity of the court, and the silence of the spectators, who had collected in crowds to hear the interesting trial, conspired to render the scene awfully impressive upon my feelings, be- yond description. At the reading of the indictment, the attorney general, James Sullivan, Esq. demanded if I knew for what crime I was about to be tried ; I answered negatively ; on which he gave me to understand, that I stood charged with burglary, a capital of- fence in the estimation of law, and that, conse- quently, the trial affected my life. The court de- manded whether I had any counsel ? I replied, no, and was directed to nominate such persons as I wish- ed to assist me. I named Theophilus Parsons, Esq. but he declining, several of the bar recommended to my choice, Mess’rs. Sewall and Dana, as gentle- men of probity and talents, who would certainly do justice to my cause. to those gentlemen, then, I made application ; and, without much hesitancy, they undertook the arduous, uninviting task of making my defence ; I shall ever think myself un- der the highest obligations to these honorable char- acters, for their goodness to me on that momentous occasion. The attorney general arose first in behalf of the Commonwealth, stating the charges against me with candour, and even, as I thought, with tender- ness. Two witnesses were produced, Daniel Jacobs and Margaret Medossy, his maid, who swore, that

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the spoons in question were the property of the complainant, Jacobs ; that his house had been brok- en open in the night, when the same were carried away ; and that they saw, at the time, (though they confessed it to be a dark night) some man running out of the house, in a great hurry. This man, by legal construction, was interpreted to be myself, since the property had been found in my custody. I had no witness to produce on my side, as Stewart was not to be found. Mr. Sewall opened my defence in a masterly and ingenious manner, the particulars of which I recol- lect but indistinctly, for, indeed, my mind was too greatly distracted at that time, to permit my being master of much recollection. He clearly and forci- bly urged the incompetency of the witnesses, who, he said, were disreputable people ; known frequent- ly to be intoxicated ; to keep a disorderly house, and to be, generally, of such bad fame and charac- ter, as rendered them unworthy of credence in cases like the present, where the life of the re- spondent was at stake. He stated, also, the proba- bility of Stewart’s having sold me the spoons, and dwelt on the moral impossibility of the witnesses being able to discriminate a man running out of a house in a night so dark, as was confessedly the one in question. Mr. Dana also exerted himself to convince the jury, that I ought in justice to be acquitted, placing, in a conspicuous point of view, the extreme hard- ship of my being convicted, and condemned to death, in a case of this kind, upon the testimony of witnesses so worthless and abandoned, as were those who had appeared on the trial. In a word, both

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Mr. Sewall and Mr. Dana, argued the cause, from beginning to end, in a very plausible and moving manner, but without the good effect of obtaining my acquittal. As soon as they had closed the defence, Mr. Sullivan again addressed the jury, telling them, among other things, that it was, indeed, a hard case, and that they ought to be cautious, especially in an affair of life and death, in what manner they gave credit to witnesses and suspicious characters, such as those of Jacobs and Medossy. He observ- ed further, that, although burglary was a capital offence, by the laws of man, it was not so by the lasws of God, but if their verdict should declare me guilty of that crime, legal rigor would exact my life. He told them, they had a right to consider the matter, as they should think equitable and just, and that if they acquitted me altogether, nothing could be objected to their verdict. In short, I conceived the whole strain of his discourse to be as much in my favor as his official character would suffer him. Justice Paine gave the principal charge to the jury, in terms calculated to strengthen such impres- sions as might favor my cause, signifying, (as well as I remember) that the peculiar circumstances of the case, then confided to their decision, required some degree of caution and lenity in the construction. The jury then withdrew, and after a while return- ed into court ” not agreed,” Mr. Thurstin, one of the twelve, not coinciding with his brethren to bring in the verdict, guilty. They were sent out a second time, but the same gentleman was still against declaring me guilty of burglary. The oth- A A

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er jurors were unanimous, but being unable to con- vince him, they went into court, as before, without coming to a definite conclusion. They were then sent out a third and fourth time ; but the dissent- ing juror was told, that sufficient time for consid- eration had been taken, and that it was necessary to agree upon something. Now it was that much altercation ensued, but at last Mr. Thurstin, by some means or other, was prevailed on to concur so far with the opinion of his associates, that an un- qualified verdict, declaring me guilty of the burg- lary was returned into court and recorded by the same. I was in court, when the tidings of this fa- tal determination saluted my ears ; a few minutes after which I was conveyed to prison ; but, within an hour, was again brought back to court to hear the definitive sentence. It was repeated to me by Judge Paine, and contained, among other things, these dreadful words, by me never to be forgotten ” That I must be carried from thence to the place of execution, and there hanged by the neck until dead.” The dismal ceremony by reading my destiny having ended, I was remanded to prison, six weeks only being given me, in which to make the last necessary preparations for death. The day prefixed for my execution was Thursday the fourteenth of August, 1793.

HENRY TUFTS.

CHAP. IV.

Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. BIBLE.

Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus. VIRGIL,

---

BEING thus under condemnation of death, I was put into rigid confinement, and loaded with chains. It was industriosly rumoured, that despair would hurry me on to strenuous exertions with a view to effectuate my escape ; to prevent which, the strictest attention was paid to every movement. Well might the vigilance of the keep- ers have discouraged any one, it certainly did me, since I was not only intimidated from attempting to break jail, but for a number of days, lay entirely listless, a prey to corroding care and fearful expect- ation. At this deplorable season, an uncommon stupor benumbed my intellects ; the usual fertility of my invention abandoned me, and death only, in hag- gard form, arose to my fearful view. But my faith- ful partner forsook me not ; she visited me, in prison, at all possible opportunities, endeavoring to appease my wounded spirits, and, with the balm of comfort, to alleviate my afflictions. Such was her benevolence, that she freely imparted whatever she could procure, when she thought it would contri- bute, in the least, either to my ease or advantage. Her kindness tranquilized, in a measure, the dreary chaos of passions that reigned within my breast,

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and lessened those distresses, corporeal and spiritual, which else, in this extremity, had been intolerable. Through her instrumentality, I conveyed divers letters to my friends, and to others, whom I sup- posed able or willing to afford me assistance. A number of my acquaintance condescended to make me repeated visits, bringing money and other neces- saries, while every body seemed to pity my forlorn condition and think my fate extremely hard. Mr. Thurstin, abovenamed, soon greatly regret- ted his consenting to the verdict of condemnation, on which account he went to Gov. Adams and the council ; told them his opinion, and how uneasy he had been, since agreeing, contrary to his better judgment, to the verdict returned. Moreover, with much zeal, he represented me (and that more than once, I believe) as deserving the particular no- tice and compassion of his excellency. Meantime, I prepared a petition, couched in be- coming terms, and sent it to the governor, who, as I was told, had the power of pardon in his see, be- seeching that my punishment of death might be remitted, or exchanged for confinement to the castle, during life. To this petition I received no answer whatever. I afterwards forwarded another to much the same purport, but obtaining no answer, could not but consider his taciturnity, as an inaus- picious omen. I wrote also a petition to the stu- dents of Cambridge college, praying them to inter- cede with the governor in my behalf, by petition or otherwise, as best suited their conveniency, and this they had the humanity to do, for which they have my sincere thanks. But beside those several applications, intreating a mitigation of my doom,

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another address from Ipswich, signed by many la- dies of that town, was preferred to his excellency the governor, stating the peculiar austerity of my doom, and recommending me to consideration and clemency. To those humane and compassionate ladies, who in the hour of my adversity, conde- scended to intercede thus in prevention of my un- toward fate, I tender the most humble acknowl- edgments ; of their goodness and beneficence I shall retain, ever, the liveliest remembrance. Be- yond the foregoing, divers other applications were made to the governor to move his mercy and jus- tice in my peculiar case, but, above all, my reputed wife, Nabby, whose native eloquence was unexcel- led, went in person, and in most pathetic terms ad- dressed the governor and council, in my stead, pray- ing that the punishment of death might be waved, and exchanged for confinement in the castle. The servency of her supplications made a deep impression upon the minds of the members of the council, who confessed they never heard woman, nor indeed per- son, make so moving and pathetic an address before. But to all those petitions and requests I received no kind of reply, nor indeed of encouragement, that any thing was likely to be effected in my fa- vour ; but rather did common report insinuate the contrary. This tark and dubious complexion of things filled me with horrible prognostics ; bereft me of the prospect of pardon or reprieve, and blast- ed all my hopes concerning the petitions I had trans- mitted. No longer did I profit or expect advan- tage from the intercessions which had been made by others to promote my rescue from the fangs of death. A a 2

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To prepare, then, for departure hence seemed to be high time, since to me, according to the deadly sentence, two weeks only were remaining on this side the grave. The awful thoughts of ex- changing worlds, in my presnt unprepared state, smote me with horror of mind, and with a dismay the most exquisitely painful. How short a time, in which to make those extraordinary preparations necessary for changing time for eternity, did two weeks appear ! How impossible to set about so great a business, in my present distracted situation, did I think it ; especially as my life and conversation had been always so totally repugnant to every consider- ation of a religious nature ! How bitterly, then, did I deplore former follies, and the fatal conse- quences of my glaring misconduct ! Alas, thought I, to what a miserable end am I born ! how com- pletely wretched has my past life ever been ! how many hardships and distresses have I borne ! how many follies and crimes have I committed ! how many trials have I encountered ! how many dan- gers, escaped ; and with how many calamities and evils have I, at all times, been surrounded ! what a gloomy retrospect do the horrid scenes of my strange life afford ! the aspect, how sombre, of the ruthless picture, and how totally thrown into shade ! In fine, how small a portion of happiness have I experienced, and how few and fleeting have been the halcyon days of my melancholy existence ! With reflections similar to the above was my per- turbed imagination perplexed incessantly, at this momentous period. But to resume my irksome tale. The days that yet remained to me being few and passing away

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with a rapidity that awakened amazement ; and as whatever I intended to do must be speedily, if ever, effected, it occurred to my thoughts afresh, that I had better, once for all, make a last final effort in procurement of deliverance. Wherefore, with a saw, which I had hitherto preserved, I fell to cut- ting off the grates, though of a monstrous and for- bidding size. I soon made considerable proficien- cy ; but, as destiny ordained, my design, when all but completed, was entirely discomfitted by the prisoners, who noticed the jailor of my desperate attempts. On this side the grave I knew of no other de- vice, of which to profit, save the one I had last at- tempted ; it was plain, therefore, I could do noth- ing more nor less, than await, with resignation, the approach of my awful fate, and prepare for a final exit from this fluctuating scene of things. One morning, as I was sitting in a very disconso- late posture, a devotee to misery and depair, I was visited by a certain physician, who accosted me with an affability and good nature, not always to be ex- pected from a stranger. Indeed, sunshine sat upon his countenance, and honey distilled from his lips ; but, after continuing his discourse some time, and presenting me with the grief dispelling goblet, he introduced the subject of his business, which was, to purchase my body, after death, for a skeleton. He thought there could be no harm or inconveni- ency in this, but to tempt a more cheerful compli- ance, proffered me a couple of guineas, in hand, beside other favors. Notwithstanding his easy in- troduction, the proposal struck me with horror in- effable, so that I repelled his suit with an asperity that prevented further solicitation on that behalf.

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Directly upon this, I was visited by another gen- tleman, from Newburyport, who offered me seven- ty dollars for license to publish a narrative of my adventures. I informed him, that, in present cir- cumstances, I had neither leisure nor inclination, to bestow the thoughts of a moment upon matters of that nature. But, to obviate this, he suggested, that he wished me to sign a paper of three or four words only, for that he knew enough of my history (with what he should be able to pick up) to make out a handsome narrative. On hearing the gen- tleman say this, it struck my mind, that, although I should have no use for the seventy dollars, my- self, yet that sum might be serviceable to my com- panion, and requite her, in some small measure, for the numerous kindnesses she had shewn me in my recent adversities. Accordingly, I told the man I would take a week for consideration, and to consult with my friends on the subject, at the end of which time I would give him a suitable reply. He ap- proved of this caution, and, having promised to re- turn for the result of my deliberations, left my cell for that time. A few hours subsequent to his departure, came along Esq. Manning, a gentleman whom I much respected. I acquainted him with the proposition I had received for a narrative or journal of my life, and begged him to assist me with his able advice. He said it was his opinion, that I ought, by no means, to concur with any plan of the kind, at present, for it might frustrate the effect of the pe- titions and other measures, which wer in opera- to avert the consequences of my sentence. Fur- thermore he counselled me not to despond, but

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hope for the best adding, that he himself would go to the governor, and do all in his power to have me reprieved, or sent to the castle. The counsel and encouragement of this good man infus- ed a gleam of hope into my desponding heart ; al- ways shall I preserve a due sense of the prompt and substantial benefits, which I received at his hands. The next day was brought me an anonymous epistle to the following purport.

Ipswich, August 5th, 1793. SIR,–I HEARD, last evening, by mere acci- dent, of your receiving a visit from a gentleman belonging to Newburyport ; and that his object was to procure toleration to publish a journal of your life. At this crisis of your fate, I must advise you, as a friend, to listen, in no respect, to a propo- sal of that kind, as the transaction would presently take air, and obstruct, perhaps, the good effect of the petitions and other expedients, which have been used to effectuate your rescur from the gripe of death. It is suggested, too, that you are to furnish some final answer to his proposal, within a week. As you value your life and safety, I admonish you to be firm and steadfast in refusing this and every other similar application, at least for the pres- ent. I hope you will improve these friendly hints to your own advantage, and, of this scroll, keep the contents to yourself. From your well wisher, &c. —-

Before the receipt of this letter, I had fully made up my opinion, as to the subject of which it treat- ed. The advice of Esq. Manning, had confirmed

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me in a decision to decline all overtures, for the present, relative to my narrative, or its publication. Thus, when the gentleman from Newbury, called again at my window, for an answer, as had been our former conversation, I gave him an explicit denial. On the Sunday next preceding the Thursday, on which I expected to launch into the world of spirits, I attended public worship, through the kind indulgence of the sheriff, as had been my constant practice for a number of sabbaths previous. I made my appearance loaded, as I was, with mana- cles and chains, to the end that a stronger impres- sion might be wrought upon the sensibility of the spectators, and their commiseration excited in re- ference to my unhappy fate. A miserable fellow mortal, loaded with trammels, and upon the brink itself of eternity, must, of course, be a spectacle at once solemn and distressing ! Well might the sight of such wretchedness agitate the feelings of the humane and reflecting ! Even so, at this time, did my appearance in the meeting excite universal compassion ; the sumpathetic sigh escaped from the benevolent breast ; and soft emotion was visible in the countenance of each beholder. But the heart- felt distress, the horrible forebodings, which on that memorable day, I myself experienced, especially during performance of divine service, remain deep- ly graven, on the tablet of my memory, in charac- ters too indelible to be effaced by the corrosions of time. My distress, however, arose not so much from the tears of death, though awful, indeed, in itself, since a few momentary pangs would complete its triumph, as from the dreadful thoughts of ap- pearing, in my present unprepared state, before that

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tribunal of that judge, who knoweth the heart, and who maketh not a shadow of allowance for obsti- nate transgression. After divine service I was again consigned to the same loathsome station in prison, which hitherto I had occupied, and measures taken to preclude even the possibility of escape. My friends, still continued to visit me, and to ad- minister to my necessities in the kindest manner. Here gratitude prompts an acknowledgment of the great obligations I am under to divers gentlemen of the priesthood, for favouring me with repeated visits during the horrors of this imprisonment. For their pious admonitions and zealous endeavors to promote my spiritual welfare, and fortify my mind against the shafts of adversity, they are en- titled to my peculiar thanks. Particularly, I feel much indebted to the Rev. Mr. Frisbey, of Ips- wich, who gave me frequently, the wholesomest instruction, and endeavoured to elevate my thoughts above the servile fears of death ; to enlighten my understanding, and to inspire me with the hopes of a blessed immortality : I trust his godly counsel and fervent petitions, for my spiritual amendment, will not be wholly thrown away. With pleasure, did the limits of my paper ad- mit, would I particularize the many favours of a temporal nature, that were shewn me by a number of well disposed persons, witnesses to my cruel sufferings. But I must repress diffusion, and ob- serve only, that most of my visitors treated me with great kindness ; seemed heartily to pity my ob- lique fate, and endavoured [sic] to soothe the bitterness of my afflictions. Their attempts were unavailing,

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my heart was inconsolable, since hope, the cork of life, was beyond my grasp. If I took a cursory view of past life, I could dis- cern nought therein, which was capable, in the least, of affording satisfaction ; for little else than dissi- pation and mischief had been its uniform produc- tions. I now felt the want of the support of reli- gion and virtue, and found, with the force of con- viction, that the great, the primary source of peace to the human mind is the consciousness of having travelled in the paths of uprightness ; that, in pro- portion as a man’s life is well or ill spent, his real happiness or misery may be calculated. Alas ! of this happiness I could only lament the want ; each successive day, by abridging my momentary span, loading me with increased apprehensions, and pre- senting to my view new traits of misery and wretchedness. How gladly, at this juncture, had I drunk of the waters of Lethe, and quaffed everlasting forgetful- ness ? but, in vain wer eall my wishes and imagi- nations ; they availed not to suppress the rising sigh or ease the mental pang ! Even my slumbering hours were not exempt from disquiet, since, from the day of condemnation, I could scarce close my eyelids in sleep, but images of deep distress would present themselves to my distorted vision. Very frequently I dreamed of being hurried to the place of execution, and of swinging off the stand, though it generally seemed, as if the rope gave way, and that my body was dashed preciptately against the ground. This I was willing to construe into a dis- tant prognostic, that, by some means or other, as yet inscrutable, I should finally evade my terrific

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doom. Sometimes fancy painted me as creeping out of jail, beneath the floor, with amazing diffi- culty ; sometimes did I imagine myself at large in the open street, but with little or no strength to flee from my pursuers ; thus was I agitated wheth- er sleeping or waking. One day about noon, as I was lying on a bed of straw, I received a smart rap on the crown of my head ; I was wide awake at the instant, and could therefore be lieable to no misconception or delusion. I cast my eyes about, but saw no living object, not even a mouse was stirring ; indeed I was wholly alone in my cell at the time. The singularity of this occurrence alarmed me greatly ; I knew not in what manner to account for it, nor have I to this day made out the least probable solution of the mystery. The day next before my expected execution, the faithful Abigail made me, for the last time, a visit in prison ; but her presence, by bringing to mind former happiness, served only to enhance the bit- terness of our present evils. Having bewailed our hard destiny and accumulated misfortunes, till even- ing had spread her sable mantle around the prison walls, we took a solemn and final farewel of each other, expecting no more to meet on this side eter- nity. Good Heavens ! how many, multiplied suf- ferings, both of body and mind, have fallen to my share ? But now appears the dreadful morn of August the 14th, which terror had depicted, as the last I should ever behold. Between the ours of two and four, afternoon, if I recollect exactly, was my sentence of death to receive consummation. On B B

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this day, every object meeting my eyes seemed to be enveloped with a deeply tinged gloom, and to assume the ghastly vissage [sic] of death, while every sound invading the ear increased my perplexity and distress. Although, so many repeated messages had been transmitted to the governor, I learnt not that grace was likely to prevail, or that measures had been adopted for my pardon or reprieve, but the contrary. About eight o’clock I descried the sexton pas- sing by with his pick axe, hoe and shovel, to dig my grave beneath the gallows. This horrid sight al- most petrified my senses, and fixed me as a statue, in speechless astonishment. An hour or two after, a certain schoolmistress, coming in, and lookng through my window, ex- claimed in a tremor, that she had just beheld an awful sight, namely, a coffin made and a grave dug for a living man. Her abrupt speech affected me with new surprise, and augmented, if possible, my unutterable consternation. By this time multitudes of people were fast ar- riving in order to be spectators of the melancholy execution. I saw them in crowds, through the grates, and heard them often enquiring, ” Where is the man who is going to be hanged ?” ” At what time will he be hanged ?” At last Edward Brock, a prsoner overhead, damned them aloud, and said, ” I am in good hopes you wo’nt see that sight to day.” At this exclamation some of the people cried out, ” Dear me ! hear how the man swears, when he is just going to the gallows.” The last hour of my surviving time drew near, I shud- dered at the sound of every footstep, as it had been

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the approach of the angel of death ! Each moment, was my imagination upon the rack, lest I should hear the iron bolts resound, and the prison doors grate, on their revolving hinges, to open a passage to the scaffold. While brooding over these images of terror, my attention was suddenly arrested by the arrival of several deputy sheriffs ; at sight of those ministers of vengeance a general tremor pervaded my whole frame. I verily believed, that the curtain was about to drop upon the last closing scene of my life’s disas- trous drama. They perceived my perturbation, and, from motives of humanity, were solicitous to administer consolation, declaring, that, although they came on this ungrately errand, they still felt for my misfortunes, and should be happy to pro- cure their alleviation. The accents of philanthro- phy [sic], even in my forlorn condition, sounded grate- fully in my ears ; may I remember to succour, (when ability permits) the distresses of others ! At three o’clock, afternoon, the officers gave me notice, that they had received no orders for my re- moval, as yet ; but were now in momentary ex- pectation of a warrant for conducting me to the place of execution. To pave the way for extremi- ties, they inculcated the invincible necessity of a due submission to the laws ; yet, were anxious to appease the agitation of my spirits. While those extraordinary scenes were on the tapis,

The wheel of unremitting time was rolling on Toward th’ important hour of four, the time prefix’d, Ere which to close my fate. The hour I wish’d o’erpast, Adjudging it the crisis of my fearful doom. At length, with tardy steps, reluctant, did arrive The moment big, and mark’d, by iron hand of time ; Its knell brought tidings sweet and grateful to my heart ;

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Did joy dispense and hope transport to my breast ; Since now the pangs of death I fondly thought to shun, And live again to happiness, and blest repose.

In other words, at four of the clock precisely, the flight of the fatal hour was announced by the deputies, who assured me, that no message to my detriment had arrived, within the time ; so that the matter was now made certain, that execution was respited ; but for how long they could not avouch. These were thrice grateful tidings, yet the business seemed enveloped in mystery insolu- ble ; for the residue of the eventful day, however, I met with no new alarm or fresh disturbance. Thus by the goodness of God, did I at this time, very contrary to my fears and expectations, escape the bitterness of death ; and although I knew not the length of my reprieve, yet the present deliver- ance exonerated my feelings of a vast load of in- quietude. Peradventure some may admire that the thoughts of death should excite in me such wonderful alarms ; but I can tell them, from ex- perience, that the stoutest heart will quake even at its anticipated approach, and that the poet’s ideas were correct, when he said,

“Death at a distance we but slightly fear ; He brings his terrors, as he draws more near.”

The people, who had collected to the number (as was said) of three thousand, dispersed in the same manner as they came ; but seeing their gathering had been little gratifying to my feelings, I was far from regretting their departure. Soon as the shades of evening prevailed, I be- took myself to early repose, for in truth I had re- ceived small refreshement, from sleep or food, I know not for how long. Now then, being retired

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from the converse and bustle of the world, and having a fit opportunity to contemplate on my sur- prizing deliverance, I found abundant cause (wicked and inconsiderate as I generally was) to thank the Father of mercies for his divine interposition in my behalf. The ensuing morning I awoke from sleep, in better health and spirits, than I had lately enjoy- ed, and received a visit from my companion Nabby. Upon review of this unexpected turn of things in my favor, her transports were excessive, and her belief sanguine, that my punishment, in the end, would be exchanged for confinement at the castle. I received visits, also, from others of my friends, who congratulated me on the present favorable as- pect of my concerns. Soon as conveniency admitted, I set to Gover- nor Adams, to know the result of my destiny, but could obtain no intelligence in the least. I lingered in uncertainty until the eighteenth of the then next September, when information was brought, that I was to be sent to the castle for life. These had been doleful tidings, at any other period, yet I now received them with joy and thankfulness. No long time was given for contemplation, ere a sheriff arrived with the order of removal, and con- ducted me to the castle, which is situated on an island in the harbor of Boston. The castle, so called, is a fortress of some strength and commands the entrance into the harbor’s mouth. About thirty pieces of artillery were then mounted on its battlements, the whole being occupied by a company of soldiers, stationed there, to superintend the works and guard the criminals. At the time of my arrival, fifty or more persons, of that de- B b 2

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scription, were under confinement, and doomed to hard service. They were a motley crew, consisting of different kinds of people, as well black as white, and of divers nations and languages ; to wit, some French, English, DUtch, Spanish, Irish and Ameri- can convicts ; the latter, however, were the more numerous order. On further acquaintance, I found them a heterogeneous mixture of as vile miscreants and execrable wretches, as human conception could have framed ideas of ; there had been no impro- priety in pronouncing them the mere dregs of hu- man nature ; the refuse and offscouring of the whole globe. In such detestable society it was impossible to see either peace or comfort. The principal employment assigned them was nail making, of which the sol- diers had the superintendance, and, upon the small- est appearance of idleness or obstinacy, would beat them like dogs. I was immediately set to work with the rest ; but in truth, had no particular gust for my new em- ployment, and still less for the company of my asso- ciates. They were, in fact, addicted to every spe- cies of villainy, which they could possibly perpe- trate with impunity, such as cursing, swearing, cheating, lying, quarrelling and stealing from one another, for which misdemeanors, they were fre- quently reprimanded by the sentries, and sometimes treated with inhuman cruelty. But rigorous treat- ment was so far from reclaiming, that it served only to increase their vicious habits, and to inspire them with a spirit of revenge against their overseers, whom, as well as the rest of mankind, they consid- ered as enemies, on whom they were justified in making whatever reprisals.

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Such was the company among whom my hard lot had now fallen, and the contemplation which arose was a source of unceasing vexation. I inces- santly pined after that liberty, of which, by folly and indiscretion, I saw myself so totally divested. At the termination of each day’s labor, we were all shut up in prison, as sheep in a fold, and, for prevention of escapes, in the night, were critically guarded by centinels without. Our lodging was most uncomfortable, being noth- ing better than the soft side of the prison floor, with a tattered rug or blanket for a covering ; which, seeing we were destitute of fuel, was hardly sufficient to keep us from perishing. Early each morning we were turned out to per- form our daily task of nail making, or by chance to repair fortifications, and such, with little variation, was the routine of business the long time I resided at the castle. The majority of the prisoners, being very rest- less and refractory under the severity of their disci- pline, and the hardships they endured, were con- tinually projecting methods of escape, and not alto- gether nunsuccessfully ; for, once in a while, one or two, and sometimes more of them, maugre the circumspection of the guards, would find the means of elopement. I recollect, that once in particular, eleven of them absconded in a body, by the con- nivance, as was supposed, of the sentry, their guard. They left the island in a fishing smack, which they made bold to seize ; but, being hotly pursued, had to fight in self defence, before passing the harbor’s mouth ; some circumstances, however, turning up in their favor, they, at last, made shift to get out of

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harm’s way, and finally escaped. Those and simi- lar desertions would have thinned the ranks, and greatly diminished our numbers, had not the occa- sional arrival of new malefactors, as bad or worse than the former, furnished ample supplies, and thus kept the stock good. Our provisions, for the chief part, were coarse bread and bullock’s heads only the same being usually tainted before leaving the shambles. Hor- rid stuff ! the nausea arising from which was so ex- treme, that I had much ado to swallow even a quantum sufficient for the sustenation of life. By degrees I became emaciated, nearly to a skeleton, yet was not the less compelled to turn out, and per- form ordinary duties with the rest of the prisoners. One day, as I was helping unlade a vessel, I had the misfortune to tumble over a wharf, and break one of my arms ! As I had no surgeon to attend me, the accident was peculiarly distressing. I lay, for a long while, in a perilous situation, and suffer- ed so dismally from the want of suitable medicines, attendance, and the necessary comforts of life, that I frequently despaired of any recovery. Many a time I wished, that the sovereign arbiter of events had been graciously pleased to end my complicated miseries by a speedy death ; yet, considering that life was sweet, even to the beasts that perish, and to the animals of the lonely wilderness, it would return to my thoguhts, that man, more particular- ly, should live in the use of means, and cherish self preservation, as a duty indispensable. While I was in this unfortunate situation, my supposed wife, Nabby, once in a while, would come to my new residence, bringing clothing, and such

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cordials as might be purchased with her scanty earnings ; thus alleviating, by her friendly help, my uncommon calamites. After two months painful illness, I regained strength to cripple abroad, but having neither shoes nor much clothing, and it being, too, the extreme of winter, I felt myself in a very slender condition. On this account, however, I was nothing favored, for soon as my convalescency became visible, I was set to work, and forced to perform daily labor, in the same manner, as if I had been quite healthy, and well equipped for the season. To these hardhips I submitted with patience, till, by being bandied about so incessantly, barefoot, through frost and snow, my feet and ancles were frozen to such a degree, that the skin and nails wholly dropped off. This new misfortune confin- ed me to quarters for a season, but no sooner was I in plight to crawl about, than I was driven to and fro, as heretofore, which caused my feet continually to bleed, and prevented their healing. To com- plain signified nothing, for, with my haughty task- masters, complaints were but the signals for more blows and greater severity. No one can imagine, unless he has felt the like, much less can I describe, my uneasy sensations at the shameful oppressions, the vile indignities, I was forced constantly to endure, and those too without a murmur. Of a truth, in my estimation of things, I was now reduced to an absolute minimum, an evan- escent quantity, incapable, as it seemed, of further diminution. On what side soever I cast my eyes, the prospect appeared cloudy and discouraging, yet being already at the bottom of fortune’s wheel, I

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rightly considered, that every new revolution might possibly lift, but could not depress me. Owing to the evils I have depicted, the present winter seemed the most tedious I had ever beheld ; yet, at length, did spring, the object of my longing desires, return, and with it its attendant blessing, warm weather. I had suffered so incredibly from cold and nakedness, during the late inclement sea- son, that, never was the desired haven more accep- table to the worn out, weather beaten mariner, than was the approach of vernal bloom to me. The genial warmth of the new born year gladdened the face of things, cheered my long lost spirits, and again revived in my breast the soothing hopes of future deliverance. Again I fancied that, in the course of events, I should yet escape from this de- tested castle and its surrounding evils, whose pro- totype never had existence (I am positive) short of the infernal regions. As the summer of 1794 advanced, it stood the soldiery in hand to exert more vigilance in preven- tion of desertions, for the criminals, disrelishing their execrable diet and ill treatment, were contin- ually devising plans of emancipation. My own exigencies were egregiously pressing, so that many a time I had bartered, with cheerfulness, my every particle of property for one comfortable repast ; yet could rarely obtain a single mouthful even by purchase. One evening, while in this extremity, I made out, through the assistance of a negro prison- er, to obtain thirty weight of pork from the cellar of Major Perkins, the commandant of the castle. I had renounced the commission of theft in my own person, therefore persuaded the black fellow

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to enter the premises, while I stood sentry, which accomplished, we made an equal dividend of the spoils, and were so lucky as to escape detection or surmise. Shortly after this I received a visit from sundry of my friends residing at Malden, who offered to disguise, and convey me off the island ; this pro- posal I was, at first, tempted to embrace, yet finally my heart failed, and I gave up the project. Thus wore away the summer of 1794, till Drew near the fourth of July, the anniversary of Ameri- can independence. We heard that preparations were making, in many places, for a joyful celebra- tion of the day, in remembrance of that auspicious aera, which gave freedom to the western world. To us, poor prisoners, the favor of enjoying this festi- val was indeed denied, yet it being quite as prudent, under the frowns of malicious fortune, to be merry as sad, and much more delightful to the feelings, I think it not amiss to give place to an ode, written at that time, as much as possible, in the then enthu- siastic spirit of the times. The sons of the muses will forbear criticism.

Hail ! heroes, patriots divine, On whom the rays of freedom shine With bright meridian blaze, Once more conven’d to celebrate Your rising empire’s glorious date, And Freedom’s column raise.

With wonder let old Europe view, The mighty fabric rear’d by you, Whose temple soars sublime ; See sov’reign Independence rise, With sacred front to meet the skies, As durable as time.

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The poet’s soul, with hallowed fire, Shall kindle, as he strikes the lyre, With thrilling rapture glow ; In sweetest strains attune his lay, And celebrate that glorious day Which makes his music flow.

Tho’ eastern realms should agonize, And Europe view the godlike prize, A phantom both pursue, Columbia only feels that plan, Which realiz’d the rights of man, And brought those rights to view.

To dissipate those magic charms, Which bound a world in slavery’s arms, And solv’d the Gordian tie ; This act decreed by mighty fate, Gave liberty a lasting date, A name which cannot die.

With reeking sword we sought the prize, The brightest gem beneath the skies, Whilst blood in torrents run ; Freedom to Vict’ry stood allied, The laurel won, while on our side Fought heav’n and Washington.

Then loud proclaim th’ important hour, That broke the iron rod of power, And blest this happy shore ; May distant ages tribute pay To celebrate th’ auspicious day, ’Till time shall be no more.

I had already lingered at the castle three fourths of a year without seeking the means of escape, but the freedom I had once enjoyed, would sometimes obtrude itself like the image of a delicious dream, and force me to regret my present slavery. Major Perkins had occasionally employed me in many

HENRY TUFTS. 313

little services, and my alactirty in the performance, had pleased him ; wherefore, on my promising not to abuse his confidence, he gave me license to trav- verse the island, whenever, I saw fit. It contained about twenty acres, enough to afford a tolerable ramble ; but, one afternoon, led by an irresistible desire of musing in solitude, I made a more com- plex circuit, than usual ; passing on till I had gain- ed the last extremity of the strand. Here, being a little out of ken, I stood and contemplated the sur- rounding scenery. The majesty and solemnity of the landscape inspired me with a kind of aw, whilst various distant objects assumed a disconsolate air, in perfect unison with the gravity of my feelings. I viewed the encircling waters, fatal bar, alas ! to my happiness ; surveyed the face of the country, be- held the harbor of Boston, and saw the lands lying at rest, as it seemed, beyond the ocean. The pros- pect before me excited ideas, by no means consola- tory ; yet would have been undoubtedly delightful, I imagine to an uninterested spectator. While in this melancholy fram, I observed a quantity of eel grass (no unusual sight in this place) floating in the neighborhood of the shore. A thought now struck my mind, that, peradventure, I might, con- veniently, enclose my head in this grass, and, by swimming over the river, make a happy escape. By heaven, I’ll effect this, articulated I, audibly, or perish in the attempt. O freedom ! ever grateful, ever dear and valuable to the human breast, what will man not adventure in pursuit of thee ! Should even seas, then, much less paltry rivers form ob- structions to thy purchase ! The pleasing concep- tion of regaining liberty, had filled my imagination C c

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with such animating prospects, that, spurning to reflect on seeming difficulties, I caught a billet of wood, wrapped my head in a tuft of grass, and com- mitted myself instantly to the swelling billows. My progress was slow, byt so well timed, that, sure as a gun, I had escaped question if an ill occurrence had not obtruded at this critical crisis. A certain soldier, from his watch tower, happened to espy the bunch of grass floating at a distance in the stream ; he, at first, accidentally kept his eye upon it, and found that it progressed in a direction contrary to the current. This was a phenomenon, and natural- ly created suspicions, where every motion was watched, that some of the prisoners were effecting an escape. Accordingly, several of the soldiers jumped into a jolly boat, and rowed off to unravel the curious mystery. I saw them approaching, and at sight thereof was, literally, in a sea of perplexity ; yet I lay still as a mouse in a cheese. They were along side of me in a trice ; unhooded their poor prisoner, and took me into the boat. What could I do, or say ? Of a truth, vexed and confounded, as I was, remained mute as a fish, while they were very merry, on seeing me, sleek as a half drowned rat, and shivering with the cold. In this disorder, I was hurried before Maj. Perkins, who bequeath- ed me a most piping lecture, swearing, that if ever I attempted another elopement, I should be strung up without remedy. The foregoing accident dis- couraged me entirely, from all further thoughts of escape, till good providence should proved some safer channel of deliverance. Affairs at the castle continued pretty much in their ordinary train ; the same dull round of exer-

HENRY TUFTS. 315

cises prevailing, till the October following, when its appearance solemnly reminded me, that I had lingered out a whole year in the vile condition of a slave ; and that, yet, I remained in absolute un- certainty as to the duration of my future servitude. What man could have acquiesced, contentdedly, in a state of such abject debasement ? Indeed I possess- ed not that degrading ductility, but gasped after that liberty, the procurement of which, for cogent reasons, I feared now to attempt, though I thought it not impracticable to elude the vigilance of those Argusses, my keepers, had I dared the experi- ment. A cold winter coming on apace, my former griev- ances, proceeding from the want of apparel and bedding, reassumed their wonted energy. Those evils, added to my sufferings from labour and fa- tigue, and from the multitude of vermin, that per- petually infested the castle walls, kept me quite lan- guid in body and low in spirits ; never can I for- get the plagues that beset me at this unfortunate period ! A number of my fellow prisoners were flashmen, (as they termed themselves) an appellation appro- priate to such rogues and sharpers, as make exclu- sive use of the flash lingo. This is partly English and partly an arbitrary gibberish, which, when spoken, presents to such hearers, as are not initiat- ed into its mysteries, a mere unintelligible jargon, but in the flash fraternity is, peculiarly, significant. As I have once made mention of the above lan- guage, and learnt use of it while in the castle, I here subjoin a specimen of sundry fashionable words and phrases of that infenral dialect. It was

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imported in gross from Europe, and no part of it, to my knowledge, has been hitherto communicated to the public.

Nomenclature of the Flash Language.

---

A cove, signifies a man Flat a foolish man Kinchen a child Mitre a hat Long tog a coat Jarvel a jacket Kickses breeches Leg bags stockings Crab a shoe Quillpipes boots Smish a shirt Clout a handkerchief Trick a watch Chiv a knife Pops pistols Chant writing of any kind Briar a saw Wibble an auger Gentleman a crow bar Spiker a nail Flamer vitriol Roram the sun Oliver the moon Glins the stars Darky cloudy Dinge a dark night Dingy cove a negronian Dub a false key Jigger a door Qua a jail Qua keeper a jail keeper Drag a prisnoer Slangs irons or handcuffs Nipping jig a gallows Topt hanged Teasing whipping

[next column]

Prad a horse Spread a saddle Pradholder a bridle Hookses (neat) cattle Lour money Suck rum Kin a stone Snufkin a bed Quid a guinea Wheel a dollar Hog a pistareen Grub victuals Yapster a dog Thumpkin a barn of hay Glaze a square of glass Rum cove a gentleman Quisby cove a mean fellow Rum blowen a gentlewoman Quisby gorge a mean (dirty) [fellow Napping his bib crying To star a] to cut out a square glaze] of glass Undub the jigger] unlock the door Undub the qua unlock the jail Crack the qua break the jail To crack a] to break a shoe- crabkin] maker’s shop Douse the glin, put out the light Petre yourself (a watchword) [take care of yourself You’re spotted you are like to [be found out I’m hammers to ye I know what you mean

HENRY TUFTS. 317

I’m dead up to the cove I know the man well A horney’s a coming a sheriff is coming He’s going to the nipping jig to be topt He is going to the gal- lows to be hanged To scrag a lay, to take clothes [from the hedges To go upon the bonny lay to undertake highway robbery

[second column]

Evening sneak going into a house by night the doors being open Water sneak breaking into a [vessel Touching a cly, robbing a pocket To do him of his blowen to rob him of his wife Prad napping horsestealing.

From this sample it may appear, that nouns and principal verbs, as being the more important words in a sentence, are generally flashified ; while pro- nouns, auxiliary verbs and abbreviations retain their English uniform ; so that the flash tongue is noth- ing else than a mixture of English, with other words, fabricated designedly for the purposes of de- ception ; it can be useful to rogues and sharpers only. I once acquired such a facility in this dia- lect, as to converse in it with much the same ease, as in plain English, although now I have lost its fa- miliar use. But no more of this futile language ; may it return to Europe, where it received its mis- shapen birth.

C c 2

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CHAP. V.

The castle is (prime truth to tell) A little tartarus or h-ll, And its inhabitants, past doubt, Are allied to th’ infernal scout ; Troth, ’twas a scurvy hit to be Condemn’d to this black company. I’ve pac’d the town and country through, Yet never met so d–n’d a crew.

---

AT all vacant hours I amused my fan- cy with flash frivolities, ’till, the circuit of a second winter, since my abidance in this rueful spot, hav- ing finished its frosty round, the mild advent of spring convinced me afresh, that life’s best days were wasting away in bondage. The little property at my command on my ar- rival here, was, ere this, wholly expended ; so that my wants grew more uniformly pressing than here- tofore, and the cares of futurity, unwelcome in- truders, assumed a more unpromising aspect. To complete my wretchedness, the blasphemies, buf- fooneries and brutal manners of the convicts grew more and more repugnant to my feelings ; for ad- mitting my own frailties to be many, and my faults heinous, yet never was I seriously addicted to some of theirs ; swearing, for instance, I viewed as a vice foolish and unprofitable ; wrangling or making sport of others, I conceived as a practice or diversion fit only for the basest of beings. Many were the altercations, the quarrels, which I had to encounter, with those worthless villains,

HENRY TUFTS. 319

many the scurrilities, that, from time to time, I was constrained to pass over ; for, to retaliate on such wretches signified little, and to remonstrate less. The only alternateve in my gift, then, was to put up with my grievances, and, however mortify- ing the necessity, to bear in silence my wrongs. In fine, though my own degradation was to the last extremity humiliating, yet I heartily despised my viler associates, and thought, with certain gen- tlemen, who came to view the island, that the cas- tle, with its inhabitants, resembled a little h-ll. Whenever my reflections led to the subject, much would I regret the happiness of those de- lightful times, when I was at liberty to rove from place to place, and from clime to clime ; an em- ployment always congenial to my dearest wishes. Much too, did I regret my late loved mistress, in whose company I had seen so many agreeable hours ; a mental comparison of which, with my present in- felicities, led me into the subsequent train of reflec- tions, which I have here thrown into a kind of verse ; for the insertion of which, I must, again, intreat the pardon of good natured critics.

What doleful scenes are here, compar’d with those Which lately to my pleasing vision rose, When Happiness, bright goddess, by her power, Lull’d all my cares to rest and sooth’d each hour.

In converse sweet, with my lov’d female friend, Contentment mild, did all my steps attend, While former sorrows lost their wonted sway In the soft pleasures of each blissful day.

Whether with her I trod the rugged road, Or in the humble cot preferr’d abode,

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Still was I happy, still fair liberty And love inspir’d extatic bliss and glee.

Whether, physician like, I tri’d my skill, Or bore the humble drudging of the mill ; Or if I toil’d in yonder fruitful field, Still did each labor num’rous blessings yield.

Thus was I joyful, in whatever state, With my sweet partner, and my pleasing mate ; Her social converse brought me clear delight, In weal or woe, by day, but more by night.

Or if, perchance, we sought the shady wood, Or on the mountain’s brow in silence stood, Surveying nature’s grand majestic face, E’en the woods and mountains cheer’d the gloomy place.

Or whether we more pleasing prospects caught, And flowery fields and verdant landscapes sought ; Or, on the streamlet’s mossy bank reclin’d View’d limpid waves in brisk meander’s wind ;

Still was I blest, and in her snowy arms Felt free from all but gentle love’s alarms ; Content with fortune’s lot, I sought no more, Nor courted the rich miser’s ample store.

But now, alas ! how sad is the revers, Lo ! here I’m doom’d to every human curse ! To share the suff’rings of a horrid band, The refuse, filth and scum of every land.

Say ye *** when I shal break the galling chain ? Or gain deliv’rance from encreasing pain ? When, gladsome, quit this most infernal crew, And seas and rocks divide me from their view ?

Though, while a prisoner, I was unprepared to solve the above queries ; yet I may now reply to them without conjectural embarrassment. For hav-

HENRY TUFTS. 321

ing spoken of the manner of living at the castle, and related the more material occurrences befalling me there, I must, to avoid repetition, pass over many matters analogous to those already noticed, and proceed to observe, that my detestable servi- tude continued, without intermission, five years in the whole, which brought the autumn of 1798. That tedious space having elapsed, a lucky event took place, which paved the way for my deliverance, as well as that of the other prisoners, more effectu- ally, than could have any scheme within the breach of our sagacity. The event was this ; the com- monwealth of Massachusetts ceded the castle, with its dependencies, to the government of the United States, on which transaction it was predicated, that the removal of the convicts from the island would be a necessary consequence. Tidings of this favorable event being circulated among the prisoners, joy sparkled in every eye, and transport filled each bosom. For my own part, I now calculated upon a restoration to freedom, as a real certainty, and fondly anticipated the beautitudes of future ease and repose. Not many days intervened, before my expecta- tions were, in good measure, realized, by the actual arrival of an order for our removal hence, and cir- cular distribution in the common prisons. It was my lot to be carried and shut up, with five or six other of our worthies, in Salem jail ; but in this receptacle I had no intention of abiding long, since, in my present idea of things, I had suffered already a competency of evils to satisfy vengeance, the most inexorable, and for imputed crimes, of which I had been in no wise culpable.

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While meditating on the best means of escape, I was visited by the jailor, removed by his injunc- tions into an upper apartment, and there secured till further orders. On taking leave, he vouch- safed to observe, that the room was in a slender predicament, wherefore, I must behave peaceably, if I intended to tarry long. I made no reply, but thought the hint a plain indication of his wishes to be well rid of his visitants. So, losing no time, I examined the limits of my cell, and presently dis- covered several pieces of moveable timber. It was then about the middle of the afternoon, but scarce had twilight discoloured the face of things, ere I fell to work, and, in half an hour, opened a suffi- cient breach. This done, I clambered over into the entry, and, in the next minute, gained the open street ; but whether my fellow-prisoners were ap- prised of my attempt, I cannot determine. Thus, after a series of years, and a multiplicity of inquietudes, did I find myself at full liberty to order my conduct, as suited the volitions of my own mind, a privilege unpossessed of a long time. Near the confines of the prison I made a halt, to recover respiration, and to consider of my better course. My hesitation was indeed momentary, for tickling desire soon turned my steps toward Lee and Greenland, to visit my primitive friends ; but, above all, my old companion Nabby, who now en- gaged my concern, and who abode, as I presumed, in the Town last mentioned. Thus I set forward musing as I went, upon the versatility of human affairs, and upon the strange alternation of events, which had chequered, so surprisingly, my late untoward fate. I now resolv-

HENRY TUFTS. 323

ed in idea, how I had been abused and persecuted for the last six years ; torn from social enjoyments, and sentenced to finish my destiny by a halter, but, at length, exempted from that penalty, by being doomed to eke out a wretched existence in the ex- ilement of the Castle ; and lastly, in what manner, by a sudden transition, as though fortune had been weary of her malignant exertions, I was now cast pennyless into the wide world, and left to shift, as I could, for my own support and well being. It was near the close of the month of October and the night serenely cold, when I thus com- menced my extraordinary journey toward Lee ; my apparel was composed of hair and tow, ex- tremely thin and much tattered. Thus poorly ac- commodated, I began to feel, ere marching a mile, the stinging effects of the frigid air ; but seeing no remedy for the evil, put the best foot forward, till I reached Haverhill ferry. Here I found it im- possible to pass over without the ferryman’s assist- ance ; but, alas ! for fear of detention, I durst not awake him. Shivering with cold, therefore, as an aspin leaf with the wind, I veered to the left, and travelled up stream, two miles, to Ox ferry, where finding an old leaky canoe, I ventured to cross over in that flimsy vehicle. Still, I had other dif- ficulties to surmount, for, by the time I had gained the opposite shore, my limbs were quite torpid from the keenness of the nocturnal air. Not daring to enter the abode of man I set off in quest of some barn or other retreat, where to prevent perishing, I might roll up on some kennel or a litter of hay, until morning. Luckily, within the limits of a mile, I found a birth to my liking, so creeping in-

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to a hay mow, my senses were quickly dispatched to the regions of forgetfulness, and I obtained in sleep a few hours of undisturbed, exhilirating re- pose. Awaking late in the morning, I sprang up and jogged onward, till feeling weak and faint for want of nutriment, I ventured into a mean looking house, and obtained, of a poor woman, a slender re- past, being the utmost her penury could afford. This friendly bounty enabled me to reach Exeter, which I entered about dark, and procured supper at the house of an old and approved friend. While here, at my ease, and dreaming of no harm, to be sure, a report was circulated of my be- ing in the town, and not only so, but a dozen or more people were collected to seize my person, as a deserter from confinement. Their design was well meant and cunningly devised, yet I discovered it just in season to give them the slip, by a speedy decampment. This flurry over, I pressed onward, and made out to reach Lee the same evening, though at a very late hour. As I had too much pride to appear publicly in the garb of a tatterdemallion, as was m present condition, and besides, was very doubtful what kind of reception I should meet with among the wary inhabitants of the place, it seemed most prudent to keep close for a season. Accordingly I took pri- vate lodgings at my elder brother’s house, and there gained a particular account of the removal of my first wife, and several of my children, from Lee, to Lemington, in the District of Maine, in which town my sons owned land, and now lived in credi- ble circumstances. This news surprised me great-

HENRY TUFTS. 325

ly, being the first hint I had received of the affair, if such be the case, thought I, soon shall I bid adieu to Lee, forever ! While in my present asylum, many favours were shewn me ; my brother, in particualr, gave me a fraternal welcome, and contributed liberally in miti- gation of my wants. I likewise saw and conversed with a number of my quondam friends, who gen- erously supplied me with some of the most necessa- ry articles for my situation. By their help I was in trim to eshibit a more decent appearance, and, in compliance with their kind invitations, visited each at his own house, where I was received, as one risen from the dead. For upwards of ten years, next preceding the present visit, I had been an alien from Lee, without once seeing the place ; consequently the manners of the people, as well as the appearance of things, had sustained great alterations. My old adversaries had pretty much forgotten our former bickerings, and their own resentments. They now seemed in- clinable to assist, rather than insult me, thinking, perhaps, I had paid the full price of my former transgressions. Tarrying, some time at Lee, and finding that none were desirous to give me the smallest disturb- ance, I repaired to New-Market, and was received with much philantrhopy by the people of that town. On hearing my story, they strongly advis- ed my repairing to Lemington, to see my children, who had gone thither, and who, they said, were well settled and in such good circumstances, that doubtless they would assist me, after the sad vexa- tions I had met with in life. I thought well of D D

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their augury, but my mind was wavering, for my esteemed Nabby, like a powerful magnet, drew me toward herself, with a potency I scarce knew how to resist. However, on sober reflection, I thought to pursue the advice of my friends, and stay at Lem- ington the approaching winter, should my boys be inclined to shew me a cordial welcome. Promo- tive of this resolution, some alterations had taken place in respect of my dear companion, the long lost Abigail, which I shall here relate. To do this I must recur to the period of my confinement at the Castle, for the sake of observing, that she, as a faithful sharer in my ill as well as good fortune, had lingered in and about Boston and the neigh- bouring towns, for several years, in hopes of my dismission, or, perhaps, escape. But, at length growing weary of my long detention, and hearing it said, that not the least probability existed of my future enlargement, and being also in no condition, to support herself and children any longer in Bos- ton, she concluded to return to Greenland, and throw herself and family (now four in number) upon the indulgence of her friends. This plan was carried into effect a few months prior to my unlooked for release, and she continued with her relatives and friends in Greenland, till visited by her own brother, whose place of abode was at Rockingham, in Vermont. At his pressing re- quest she removed to his habitation, where, at the time of my castle-deliverance, she still resided. As I wished to have seen and conversed with her, prior to my departure, her absence was a sub- ject of no small anxiety ; but at last, having found an opportunity to send her a letter, by way of the

HENRY TUFTS. 327

Post, I adjusted all affairs, and set out directly on my journey for Lemington. It was about the beginning of December, when I had the pleasure to set foot, for the first time, within the house of my son Simeon in that town. I found him, as also my Son-in-law, and their fami- lies, with my old wife Lydia, and our youngest child, all in good health. Our other children had been put out apprentices, and were all provided with suitable places of abode. To my entire satis- faction I now saw, that though report was prone to exaggerate, yet, in the instance of respecting my two sons, it had made no undue representation of their prosperity, for each of them possessed a well man- aged farm, and lived in rural affluency. They re- ceived me with cordiality, and shewed me the kind- est attention. I felt both delight at the generous treatment I received, and happiness at the prosper- ous establishment of my children ; yet, even here, fate had reserved for me conflicts of a trying na- ture ; a struggle, however, bearing little affinity with any of anteriour origin. It concerned my old wife Lydia, and my young (reputed) wife Abi- gail : and the difficulty was, with whom of the two I should cohabit in future. This mental em- barrassment was owing to my children, residing at Lemington, who, since my return, had been anx- ious, pressingly so, that I should forsake my mis- tress, entirely, and cleave thenceforth to the wife of my youth, my only lawful one, as they, right- ly described her. I hesitated, but, to carry their point, they added to persuasion many alluring offers of assistance, and, Heaven knows, I much needed, at that time, both succour and encouragement from some quarter or other.

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Five disastrous years I had spent at the Castle, without earning a penny for myself, since all I could there rake and scrape had been scarce suf- ficient to bar a divorse [sic] of soul from body. What measures then could I now adopt, exonerated as I was of all earthly advantages ? After many re- flections upon the advice of my two sons, and weighing the pros and cons, demurely, in the bal- ance of fair reasoning ; in the course of which, I calculated honestly on my present situation ; that I had reached, actually, the decline of life, being in the fifty-second year of my age, with my corporeal vigor and mental powers perceptibly abated ; that I felt poorly able to prosecute such fatiguing marches, or to encounter such extreme harships, as had been those of former endurance ; that, no other means were visible of pushing my future for- tune through the world, except those I had here- tofore practiced ; meagre penury, in the mean time, staring me full in the face ; I say, after these and various other reflections, I even coincieded, with little self satisfaction, to forego all future con- nection with my dear mistress, should the step be compatible with my former promises. On the other hand, it touched me to the quick, to think of quitting the woman, who had followed my for- tunes, hither and thither, through evil and good, and who had attended me so kindly in my greatest afflictions both of body and mind, cheerfully sup- plying my wants to the extent of her ability, when I was deserted by every other person ; not to men- tion, that I had four children by her already, and loved her, unquestionably, beyond all other wo- men upon earth. Ah, me ! what a stint was it to control my passions on the present occasion ? Yet,

HENRY TUFTS. 329

having once concluded to listen to the remonstran- ces of my wife, children and friends, and to effect, if it could be, a separation from the woman of my heart, I lost no time, but wrote her a line, fully ex- pressive of my sincere love and regard, and grateful acknowledgments for all kindnesses I had received ; stating, the reasons, however, why I supposed our separation unavoidable, and concluding with my best wishes for her perpetual happiness. This bil- let I found means to convey ; and not long after, received an answer, in which she appeared not insen- sible of my ingratitude, but, nevertheless spoke of a separation, as a point settled and unalterable. Never since have I had the privilege of seeing her, but although cruel fate has decreed our separa- tion, I shall ever feel a tender affection for her per- son, and a lively sense of gratitude for the benefits she once had the goodness to render me. Those benefits are enhanced a thousand fold, from the consideration, that I received them when struggling with woes too weighty, in a manner, for the endur- ance of humanity. I understand she has been wedded, some few years, to a respectable man, and is now living in the interior of the country, where she enjoys the comforts of life, but without its luxuries. Sincere- ly I pray, that, during life’s remainder, she may reap much more happiness, with her present hus- band, than possibly could have fallen to her share in my company or keeping. Having adjusted, in the manner above recited, the foregoing troublesome affairs, I took quiet seizen, and, turf and twig, possession of my prim- itime wife as of fee, and we resided together as D d 2

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baron and feme at Lemington, aforesaid. Our issue had been nine in number, most of whom were as yet living. We considered them as the pledges of our former love, and notwithstanding the frequent desertions and numberless matrimo- nial infidelities of which I was chargeable, we con- trived to dwell together in tolerable harmony. In- deed, my old wife was mistress of several conveni- ent though rare qualities, one of which was, she had a knack at dispensing with some of my irre- gularities, which a more squeamish stomach had not digested so easily. To this might be added, that she was a very notable and discreet house- wife, so that, never was her person, in the least de- gree burthensome or expensive to me ; but, on the reverse, she had contributed to the support of the family more than I myself had, or, in my embar- rassed circumstances, could ever have been able. As it was my allotment to settle permanently in Lemington, I purchased a piece of land, and, by the help of indulgent friends, erected thereon a small, but commodious dwelling house. In this situation I led a peaceable and harmless life, my time being spent, either in clearing land, or in marching to and fro in quality of Indian Doctor. Meantime I had leisure and opportunity to rumi- nate upon the multiplicity of horrible ills, and al- most unparalleled sufferings, that former misdeeds, especially the depredations I had made upon the property of others, had drawn on my devoted head. In brief, it now appeared on review, that I had substantial reason to abominate theft to the latest hour of existence ; wherefore, I was led to resolve, seriously, that no temptations, in future,

HENRY TUFTS. 331

should induce a renewal of such shameful enormi- ties. And really, in respect to theft itself, I have, ever since, observed, most religiously, the determi- nation I adopted at that period ; since, from the day I received sentence of death, to the present moment of recording the fact, I have never taken clandestinely from man, woman or child to the amount of a single pin. As our little household consisted, at present, of only my old wife, myself, and youngest child, I found that it transcended in no wise my honest en- deavors to support it decently ; this encouraged me to persevere in well doing. In fact, I derived no slender advantage from my constant exertions in the medical line, my travels were both east and west, and seldom did I return home unsupplied with necessaries. Besides, I frequently visited the Shakers, a society of Christians residing at Alfred, who, from the commencement of our acquaintance, have been ever increasing in my veneration and esteem. With much gratitude I make mention of the charitable philanthropists, in that place, be- cause, first and last, their bounty has been mani- fold and they have rendered me important ser- vices. I had pursued the course of life, above described, perhaps ayear, when a certain gentleman (to call no names) having lost his horse, made a journey to Lemington, and taxed me with the theft. I tried to convince him of his mistake, but in vain, for ad- mitting none of my excuses, he advised the atten- dant Sheriff to seize and convey me to Dover jail. Conscious of innocency in this behalf, I remonstrat- ed on the expence and loss of time attendant on

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the journey ; still, I was willing to accompany them on condition of reimbursement, if found blameless. But no ! they would make no such compromise ; suggesting, that, if Iwould take horses, I had also, stolen, undoubtedly, the clothes I had on (for they saw me clad in a pretty decent suit.) To obviate this calumny, I asserted, that to the bounty of the Shakers, it was owing, that I could call those clothes my own. This they heard with a sarcastic sneer, and in hopes of detecting my fallacy hurried me off to Alfred, where, on enter- ing the town, we happened to meet with a party of Shakers, at work on the highway. To those hon- est citizens the question was propounded, and ans- wer immediately returned, that my suit of clothes was a voluntary gift from their own fraternity. This point cleared ; the Shakers in turn, demand- ed, with some spirit, whither they might be carry- ing me, and were told, ” To Dover Jail, for horse- stealing, and being a rogue.” The Shakers said, they had no belief of my stealing a horse, and, as to being a rogue I certainly had the looks of the honestest man of the three ; being an old friend, whom they would not see dragged culprit like, any farther, unless sanctioned by proper authority. This prohibition nettled my conductors, who, be- ing unable to produce a shadow of legality for their arbitrary proceedings, set me at liberty and suffered me to return home. A while after, the lost horse was found, so that my innocence became clear, as the noon-day sun ; yet, I have repressed the man’s name who treated me thus, in the sincere hope that I he will one day repent, and make amends for the trouble he thus occasioned me.

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The next thing exigent of mention, and conse- quent on my return home from Alfred, is, that I received the distressing intelligence of the decease of the illustrious Gen. Washington, that truly mag- nanimous patrior, who had been the political sav- iour of his country, and founder of the American empire ; a man more worthy of being stiled ” the great,” than any of the Alexanders, Pompeys, or Charlses who ever swayed a sceptre. His death took place, as the world knows, on the fourteenth of December, A.D. 1799, and was universally la- mented, though the land of his preservation, by all ranks and orders of men. As a faint eulogy on his virtues, as a small tribute of praise to his sacred memory, for the matchless services he has rendered his country and the world, I here subjoin the fol- lowing stanzas, on that melancholy occasion, being a transcript of thos ideas, which are, more legibly, written on the table of my heart, and which, I trust, no accident will ever efface.

What dismal sounds invade the ear ! What gloom o’erspreads the sky ; What solemn tidings do we hear ! What piercing, heartfelt cry !

Hark ! ’tis the mournful trump of fate, ” Great Washington’s no more ;” Freed from this fleeting, mortal state, He seeks the heav’nly shore.

His glorious race on earth is run, Immortal lives his fame ; Admiring worlds, O, Washington ! Shall still exalt thy name.

With liberty, to bless mankind, To fight for freedom’s cause ;

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For these were form’d thy godlike mind, By fate’s unerring laws.

When heav’n in wisdom plac’d thee here, She thus address’d her son ; ” Go ! save America, thice dear, Nor fear, brave Washington.

There found an empire, far and wide, On Freedom’s sacred shore, Where lawless tyranny and pride Shall vex her realm no more.”

Immortal Washington obey’d Th’ empyreal decree, And well atchiev’d the glorious deed, And founded liberty.

This done, celestial anthems rise On harps of purest gold, Angels invite him to the skies, The heav’nly gates unfold.

Columbia, mourn, in wees of woe, Your chief, your patriot gone, Let ceaseless tears in concert flow, For Freedom’s fav’rite son.

Yet, while our fond affections glow, With mingled grief and love, While still we mourn his death below, O, sing his birth above.

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CHAP. VI.

Ill habits cleave like birdlime to poor man, Stick, like contagion, shake them off who can ; What vices we imbibe in youth, behold, Like shadows, will pursue us, when grown old.

---

HAVING introduced the venerable name of that great and good man, whose exalted virtues were made the subject of the foregoing lit- tle poetical essay, I deemed it more decorous to wind off the last chapter, without introducing fur- ther remarks concerning myself. I shall now re- sume the thread of my discourse with less violation of the rules of decency. For the space of twelve months subsequent to the mournful event just related, I remained firm and steady at home, in pursuing my ordinary business, which, generally, was dealing out medicine and cultivating a small farm. Between both I had full employment, and provided for my small family in a decent and comfortable manner. My fame as an Indian doctor encreased daily, and to my exertions were ascribed various extraordinary cures ; of this commendation, indeed, I rather supposed myself not absolutely undeserving. Regular physicians will, naturally, smile at this seeming self sufficiency, as some, even of that description are extremely fond of having all medical science exclusively confined to their own fraternity. Let them enjoy comfort- ably their fancied superiorit, I wish neither to de- tract from their merits, nor to overrate my own.

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Being now between fifty and sixty years of age, I began to think, as doubtless will others, that it was high time to have sown my wild oats, and to have shaken off my old tricks and corrupt habits ; at the same time setting about a very necessary piece of business, to wit, reformation. Indeed, at the time I treat of, my thoughts dwelt, with unus- ual elasticity, on the subject of a future well being ; while, too, the image of past life presented itself to view in colours the most alarming, filling me with anguish and remorse. What salutary effects had been the result of those conscientious reflections, if an adventure, unfriendly to morals, had not caught me by surprise, and suspended, for a time, the op- eration of those friendly principles, which were striving, I believe, to acquire some dominion over my vices, I pretend not to say. True it is, a man of my standing, in years, at least, should have been better proof against temptation, such as I allude to ; and with remorse should confess his weakness in tamely yielding to the assault ; yet, as I have hith- erto related facts, without disguise, I must, for uni- formity’s sake, continue that practice, however fu- ture comments may tend to my disadvantage. Without more apology I shall relate the adventure. A certain young woman, of religious deportment, I must conceal her name, called at my house, one day, in the absence of my family, to borrow my horse, to ride a few miles, to a newlight meeting, and for the fabour she engaged to pay half a dollar on her return. ” The horse, young woman, said I, is at your service, only the money must be paid first, for, you know it is ticklish trusting these hard times. She hesitated, since, horse or no horse,

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half a dollar, prompt pay, was more than she could advance. What then to do, she knew not, for positively, some horse she must have, and none other could be obtained. Her perplexity was ob- vious, my inflexibility unshaken ; she intreated, allured, flattered, but to little purpose ; I was as prompt in refusal, as she in importunity. At length, to promote a compromise, I suggested, that payment might be made easy, without the aid of a capital, since I was not absolutely disinclined to take personal services, in lieu of all other requital. In fine, I named the conditions that should, alone, entitle her to the loan of the horse, though for modesty’s sake, I choose not to repeat them here. This was enough to excite those blushes, which I then saw redden on her cheek ; I, too, was prepar- ing for the mortification of a rebuff ; but the young religionist, after a little hesitation, and a few female negatives, which often carry a far different mean- ing, gusticulated her assent. Articles of agreement having been fulfilled to a punctilio, she mounted her steed with agility, and rode away with the air and gravity of a vestal of threescore. The above instance may be compared, not inappositely, to Ovid’s recontre with Corinna, and is a pregnant proof, that like him I had not mastered sufficiently my juvenile eccentricities. It may also evince the great difficulty, of overcoming iniquity, when long familiarized to the practice of it, or of resisting temptation, when she presents herself in alluring points of view. Not many days transpired after the above un- gracious behaviour, ere I equipped myself cap a pie, mounted my stout horse, and set off on a medical E E

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excursion toward Nova Scotia. The whole of this extensive jaunt was crowned with brilliant successes. I perceived, as I passed along, that the face of the country had undergone great changes, and had be- come much more populous than when I saw it last. Though, as many of the settlers were emigrants from Newhampshire, and the northeasterly parts of old Massachusetts, where I had frequently rendez- voused, my looks were generally distinguished wherever I set foot. For that reason I durst not borrow such a strange diversity of antic shapes, as, Proteus like, I formerly did, when strolling through these regions. Of a truth, I was forced to relin- quish both preaching and praying ; and, as for theft, I considered that as a reprobated resource, which I had solemnly renounced forever. Hence the only surviving hobby horses, within my circum- scribed fee, were doctoring and fortune telling ; but on either of those, alternately, I could traverse, with eclat, the highway of life, without being pes- tered with the fears of want or the sighs of ambi- tion. While on this route I heard of the death of my old associate, Richard Dennis. It happened in the district of Maine, about a year previous to this ; the particulars of which tragic event were repeated to me as follow. Dennis had been arrested for house breaking, and as the sheriff and keepers were escorting him to prison, they encountered a certain part of the road, which lay contiguous to the margin of a river. In this spot Dennis made a momentary halt, and then, with a view, I suppose, of escaping by swimming, leaped suddenly from the shore to a large rock,

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twelve feet within the stream. On this cliff he stood, pinioned as he was, yet undismayed, an ob- ject of horror and amazement to the terrified be- holders, who were apprehensive of fatal consequen- ces. It was manifest, that some desperate purpose was labouring in his agitated soul, wherefore, they called out to their prisoner to retreat, but he did not regard them. They essayed to reclaim him by means of wooden hooks or poles, but he dis- dainfully repulsed their efforts ; till finding him- self in no capacity to preserve longer his station, he plunged precipitately into the water. His intent in this, as it should seem, was to gain the opposite banks ; but the freshet being high, the stream rap- id, and himself encumbered with manacles, his strength was inadequate to the rash undertaking. Thus while buffetting the current, or struggling for life, he was carried down stream, and buried in the whirls of the torrent. A while after, his re- mains were taken up, by a number of Indian fish- ermen, at the distance of twelve miles from the fatal spot. Such was the untimely end of my old accom- plice Dennis, but, in all probability, the fear of the gallows provoked him to hazard so foolish and des- perate a measure. I think this the more likely, because when we lived together in habits of inti- macy, I have heard him often protest, that no au- thority should ever hang him, while he possessed the means of putting an end to his own life. So much for my old fellow laborer ; peace be to his manes ; for little happiness, I ween, could possibly betide him while here on earth.

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On my way homeward I visited the shakers of Alfred, and that friendly people did not suffer me to leave them without fresh samples of their mu- nificence. I have cause to esteem them, and shall, till life ceases to vibrate. How different has been their conduct toward me, when depressed by pov- verty, from that which some other religious pro- fessors have manifested, when in much worse cir- cumstances ; professors, who, under the mask and garb of sanctity, are ever seeking to defraud their neighbors, and grind the face of the poor ; hypo- crites, impostors, and wholly unworthy the name they feloniously usurp. Though disposed to declaim thus against zeal and sanctified hypocrisy, I still retain a peculiar venera- tion for the sincerely pious, whom I esteem as the salt of the earth, and the brightest ornaments of socie- ty. Godly piety, is indeed a sublime qualification, and the first, best source of human felicity.

Ah blest religion, pure and undefil’d ! Thy pleasing theme imparts serene delight, Transforms to hope the fears of misery’s child, And to the poor dispenses heavenly light.

But to proceed. Leaving the shakers, I posted home, but was there incommoded, by means of sundry people, who were searching for one of my castle comrades, who, forgetful of former calamities, had stolen a valuable horse. The aggressor had, indeed, been under my protection for upwards of four months, and for his personal security, while with me, I stood sponsor ; for which reason I was the more anxious to facilitate his flight. I succeed- ed in my trust, and it being my friend’s intention to abandon our quarter, forever, by way of requit-

HENRY TUFTS. 341

al, he gave me not only his stolen horse, but seve- ral notes of hand, against responsible persons resid- ing at Waterborough. The horse I turned to good advantage, and was so lucky as to collect the whole amount of the notes ; so that I cleared, through the misfortunes of this man, to the tune, at least, of three hundred dollars. I was now enabled to discharge every debt I owed, with honor and punctuality, and to lay out for a more decent and advantageous mode of living than heretofore. Every undertaking seemed to be prospered under my hands ; when, suddenly, a new disaster dispelled all hopeful prospects, and gave me fresh proofs of the instability of human prosperity. Being one day on a small journey, I received a des- perate fall from an unruly horse, by which I broke an arm and a rib, and dislocated my wrist. Seve- ral months, I was confined with this tremendous visitation, ere returning health permitted a resump- tion of customary employments. At length, how- ever, I got the better of all complaints, and set my face toward the north, resolving, if health contin- ued, to perform a tour of some considerable length. With this view, I set off with my baggage, assum- ing, uniformly, the port and dignity of an old sage physician of long practice and experience. In the course of my rambles I went to the White Hills, sometimes called the ” Lady Mountains,” where, among other curiosities, I had a sight of the huge stone, that rolled spontaneously down those hills in the year, (if I mistake not) 1798. In size it was large as an ordinary meeting house ; it took its de- parture from near the summit of one of those moun- tains, and continued its progressive descent, as much E e 2

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as three fourths of a mile, until a deep valley ar- rested its further progress. The path cleared in the journey of this stupendous rock, appeared to be four rods in width, and was swept, quite clean, of every standing tree, great and small. The in- habitants of the adjacent country, for several leagues round, heard the noise of the descending mass for nearly, as it seemed, a quarter of an hour, and con- ceived it the report of a great earthquake. Leaving these mountains, I touched at many other places. Having, at last, indulged my desire for travelling, I arrived at Lemington in perfect safety. The spring of 1802 had already advanced, so that, my agricultural affairs requiring immedi- ate attention, I applied to them, for a season, with much diligence ; but no sooner did circumstances permit, than I set off again toward the east, and after rambling some time, in another of her frolic- some moods, dame Fortune conducted me to Old Wells. Here by mere accident I came across a brisk young widow, one whose person was faultless, her smiles bewitching, and her worldly goods far from inconsiderable. I perceived she had no knowledge of my person ; so, without demur I invoked the little mischievous deity, and had the pleasure of a most gracious reception. Our court- ship equalled, in duration, Jonah’s continuance in the whale’s belly, that is, three days and nights ; the whole of which time passed so pleasantly, that I never shall expect herafter, ” to forget the wi- dow.” It should also be noted that our union in marriage was fully agreed on ; three months after that being mentioned for its real solemnization. Sooner, she could not be ready, as her wedding

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suit and many other preparative articles must first be provided. Thus, I studied and practiced de- ception, till my visit was eked out to a critical length, when I reluctantly quitted the fields of de- light, by bidding farewell to the enraptured widow. Leaving Wells, I hied to Portland, then passed on to Alfred and other unimportant places ; but, lastly, returned to Lemington, my thoughts still running, incessantly, upon the beautiful widow. The above stipulated term sped away ; yet I ne- glected to return equipped for the matrimonial voyage, as the pleasing dreams of my bride elect had fondly anticipated ; wherefore, being in a net- tle, she enquired out the place of my abode, and dispatched a man and horse to know the cause of my absence. The messenger came to Lemington, where, hearing of my family connections, he ne- glected the delivery of his message, and posted back with the ugly intelligence that I was a married man already. How the poor widow digested the bitter pill, I had little privilege of knowing ; I knew, however, that very possibly, this wild adven- ture might be productive of some perverse conse- quences ; I, therefore, forsook home, and journey- ed a round pace toward Connecticut. In my trav- els, this rout, I passed through Ipswich, where I saw a number of my old female friends ; the sight of whom brought to my remembrance afresh, the numerous benefactions conferred upon me, in the worst of times, by the ladies of that town. It re- curred to mind, in what manner they had petition- ed for my release, when suffering in prison, under bonds and condemnation, and surrounded with all the terrors, all the machinery of death.

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CHAP. VII.

When wanton women guide the helm, No wonder surges overwhelm The crazy bark, a shatter’d wreck, Its lading tost from hold and deck.

---

From Ipswich I shaped my course northwardly, and after a short residence in differ- ent places, returned home. I was soon after re- quested to visit, in a medical capacity, a sick young woman, then in the eighteenth year of her age ; but whose name, because of the recency of the transactions connected with this, I choose to repress. She was the daughter of a neighboring farmer, and had been of a long time, in a weak and lan- guishing condition ; so much so, that it was verily supposed, her malady would terminate in a con- sumption, and thus end her days. She had sought relief both far and near, and had tried many pre- scriptions to no kind of purpose ; for, in spite of remedies, her disorder continued to gain ground, and she, proportionably to decline. In this state I found her almost emaciated to a skeleton. It was obvious to every one, that her situation must be exremely precarious, and her recovery to health, altogether problematical ; yet, at the earnest desire of her friends, I undertook the unpromising task of prescribing for her cure. As my private opinion had been opposed ever, to the ordinary use of apothecary’s drugs and chem- ical medicines, which, being the growth chiefly of

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foreign climates, different from, and perhaps, more unhealthy than our own, I considered less congenial to American constitutions, than medicines, the production of our own soil ; I, therefore, confined my patient entirely to the use of the latter. My remedies were vegetable and simples ; and I had the vanity to suppose, that my long intercourse with the Indian doctors, and frequent practice, ever since, had taught me to apply them with be- coming dexterity. And as the complaints of my patient were similar to those from which the In- dians had formerly relieved me, I chose to rely, in her case, upon the methods of cure prescribed by the Indian physicians in mine. Whether my judg- ment were correct or not, it ill behoves me to say ; yet, true it is, that my choice of means was sur- prizingly successful, even beyond my greateds ex- pectations. After several visits the poor invalid began to show symptoms of amendment, and in a few months more, regained as complete a state of health, as she had ever been known to enjoy. During the progress of her cure, I had paid the most diligent attendance upon her person, adminis- tering many of the medicines with my own hands ; by which, and other assiduities, I ingratiated my- self insensibly (though God knows undesignedly) into her good graces, and made no slight impres- sion on her heart. This discovery, though unno- ticed by the rest of the family, was by me most easily observed, as every word and gesture, which escaped, contributed to its confirmation. My sur- mises, however, were confined to my own breast, not even to her did I betray this knowledge, for, I wished on family accounts, that the fatal flame,

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which seemed to be kindling in her bosom, might expire in embryo. To promote so laudable an end, I relinquished the pleasure of visiting at her fath- er’s hous, and sudiously avoided all possible occa- sions of personal intercourse. This was my expe- dient for a while, till, on day, happening to be caught in her company, she made use of the op- portunity to acquaint me, in plain terms, with her sentiments, and the situation of her mind. The subject was introduced by expressing her great satisfaction at the unexpected recovery of her health ; she then proceeded to thank me, in pa- thetic terms, for the useful services I had rendered her. Under providence, she ascribed it to my care and attention, wholly, that she was yet in the land of the living, and in a situation to express her gratitude for the amazing pains I had taken on her account, avering it impossible to reward me in a way adequate to her wishes, or my deserts. I as- sured her, that my recompence was already ample, from the pleasure I took in having promoted her welfare ; that therefore I must reject the idea of all further compensation. ” Never, (rejoined she) can my greatest benefactor be repaid ; the best, the only requital I can make you, for saving my life, is to declare you welcome to the last little of my property ; and greatly should I rejoice, if the poor bequest were increased a hundred fold. Yes, Mr. Tufts, to speak ingenuously, in nothing could I re- ceive so much satisfaction, such peculiar delight, as in devoting my all to your only service.” ” I thank you kindly, dearest miss, said I, for this pleasing testimony of your gratitude ; but permit me to re- peat, that I am thoroughly satisfied ; that I wish

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no other requital, than what I have already receiv- ed : Yes, Madam ! I feel myself richly rewarded for the too trivial pains I have taken, and there- fore, intreat you that all further observations may be waved on the subject.” Here our conversation paused, for a moment ; but was quickly renewed by her wishing, though in faultering accents, that I might not be amazed at her singular discourse, since she loved and esteemed me beyond all others on earth. I replied that her declaration would have been more particularly transporting, but for the chilling reflection, that I was already bound in the matrimonial chain, which she certainly knew, and therefore in no situation to enjoy the benefits of her partiality. Here, repressing the rising sigh, she proceeded to observe, that her hapiness would be superlative, were she permitted to abandon all, and follow my fortune, to some remote quarter, where we might contribute, to the lasting felicity of each other. This declaration demonstrated so great a degree of ardor, that it instantly excited mine ; in- deed I had quite forgotten my former resolution, to forsake the company of this bewitching girl, I therefore, tolde her, that in case she was sincere, I would undertake to escort her, far from the reach of those who might wish to annoy us, and would be careful to supply her with all the comforts, not elegancies, of life. She appeared to be mightily pleased with this declaration, and promised, with alacrity, to be ready for removal at a moments [sic] warning. I observed that the exact time of depar- ture must be a matter of uncertainty, depending entirely upon contingences, since much must neces- sarily be done previous to leaving the town, and

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that with much privacy ; but that I would imme- diately return home, and with all diligence make the requisite arrangements, and, when the fortunate moment arrived, would acquaint her with my whole scheme. I desired her, by all means, to be in momentary preparation, as the least delay might possibly discomfit the whole important design. Assuring me most solemnly that there should be no kind of failure on her part, I took reluctant leave of my lovely charmer, for that time. I would beg permission to note, in this place, that, however sin- gular it my seem, for one of the fair sext to make the declarations and overtures above related to a man advanced ; and my accustomed veracity, I must declare that I have preserved not only the sense but the spirit of the original dialogue, as nearly as my recollection would enable me. I hasten to observe, that my late extraordinary engagements were continually uppermost in my fancy, impatiently urging me to the possession of my new mistress, who, though no beauty, was yet endued with those attractive qualities, which ren- dered her, peculiarly, an object of desire. The bet- ter to provide for travelling expences, therefore, I immediately converted into money such of my effects as might be disposed with secrecy. I then settled my other business, and feeling much anxie- ty to elope, notified my little mistress in what place to meet me. She was punctual ; we both gained the angle of taction, without exciting the least sus- picion among the people of the neighborhood. As it fell out I was provided with a horse, able-bodied and an excellent traveller, we therefore mounted, conjunctly, took the road to Kennebec, and without

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regret, bade adieu to Lemington, though we wist not but forever. The first thirty-six hours were spent in travel- ling, both night and day, with the greatest expedi- tion. Sometimes I marched on foot, sometimes proceeded on horse back, continually agitated, however, for fear of some disaster. Many times did we cast fearful glances behind, lest, we should behold a group of pursuers in the rear ; but our alarms were groundless, the fact being, that nobody had attempted as yet, to trace out our footsteps. By this time we were more than one hundred and twenty miles from the placve of departure, but so vastly fatigued, that it was impossible to proceed an inch further for the present. We alighted at a house to gain some refreshment, when thinking ourselves quite out of danger, we concluded to tar- ry the remainder of the day and the night en- suing. The good folks of the house being informed that we wer man and wife, supplied us with a single bed only ; this omission, however, gave us no um- brage, in the least ; on the contrary we took pos- session of our new lodging with the same regulari- ty, as though this habit had existed for years. Over the transporting scene which naturally took place between me and my pleasing bedfellow, du- ring this first trial of our amorous skill, I shall draw an impenetrable veil ; and pass on to mention, that the next day we prosecuted our journey, as we did the day following, without the slightest cross acci- dent on the road ; but, on the afternoon of the third day, we happened to be overtaken by a well looking traveller on horseback. At this moment I F F

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was walking, with a view to ease my horse ; so that my progression could be none of the swiftest ; nevertheless, the man unknown, as if fond of com- pany, slackened his pace, and vouchsafed for sever- al miles together, to amuse my companion and me with his facetious conversation. This brought us to a place called the six mile woods, just in the borders of which we met several people, one of whom was going to advise with a certain doctor up- on the case of a man, who lay ill at some distance. I halted to confer with the strangers, but my girl and our fellow passenger moved moderately on. The road through the woods, being straight, was perfectly visible for a great way a head ; and, while I was busied in discourse, my mistress and man had proceeded nearly a mile, appearing how- ever, to have then quickened their pace. I felt uneasy at this circumstance, so that, giving the trav- ellers the best of my counsel for the sick man, I bid them God speed, and hastened to overtake my company. Inasmuch as mmy sweeting was now alone in the wood, with an utter stranger, it is not unreasonable, to suppose, that I placed the best foot forward ; this in fact I did, but, after a deal of hurry, caught not a glimpse of the runaways, till I had traversed nearly the whole extent of the forest. But when I had done this, I again stretched my visual orbs ahead, and happened to espy them aloof in the very suspicious act of remounting their horses. Judge now, ye husbands and lovers ! for you alne will be able, what were my sensations, and what my astonishment, when I detected my belov- ed mistress in the strange attitude above mention-

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ed ! Her conduct, unless viewed in the worst light, appeared utterly insoluble ! What honest induce- ment could she have had, reasoned I, for dis- mounting in this dreary forest, with an absolute stranger ! None decidedly ! Vexed with those ideas, I quickened my pace, and, at last, overtook the fugitives, near the out skirts of the wood, just as they reached the tavern of one Stevens, in the town of Sebesticot. As the demon jealousy had taken hold of my imagination, and fired it with indignant rage, I wished to develope more fully the supposed treach- ery of my mistress, in order to requite her accord- ingly. But the case requiring brevity, I could think of nothing else in my agitation, than to charge the culprits within the fact, and then draw conclusions from the effects of the accusation upon their countenances, at the moment of surprise. I had scarcely adopted this expedient, but an oppor- tnnity [sic] offered to put it partially in practice ; for the landlord, coming out, stept up to my mistress’ gal- lant, just as she was entering the doors, and greet- ed him kindly, asked us both into the house. In an angry tone, I assured the landlord, I should never associate with a man, who had injured me so basely, as had the fellow before us ; at the same time I made enquiry for a Magistrate, to whom I might resort for some kind of recompence. As I uttered this, I kept a watchful eye upon the supposed culprit, and discerned in his aspect both guilt and fear depicted in colours too visible for misconception. His confusion was proof enough, though extorted by surprise, that my suspicions were well founded. Vexation and grief at the

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thoughts of my girl’s perfidy, as may be well sup- posed, diffused painful emotions through the inner recesses of my heart. The fellow believed her to be, ipso facto, my wife, so that, dreading my dis- pleasure, he declined entering the house, but, watching our motions, sneaked away unperceived ; so that I never set eyes on him more. The das- tardly conduct of this fellow led me to reflect upon the humiliating nature of guilt, how it disarms the hero, debases the man, and inspires the wretch, its possessor, with the weakness of cowardice and eva- sion. Tarrying an hour at the Tavern, for the benefit of refreshment, our journey was renewed ; but the moment myself and trull were clearly out of ear- shot, I began a grating lecture on the score of her perfidy, more especially to a man, who had relin- quished house and home for her sake. However, she set up a defence, just such a one, indeed, as might be expected from such a woman ; it being a denial, in toto, of the facts. I assured her that eva- sions would be useless, since her gallant had dis- closed all ; but that, still, I was willing to forgive her, if she would acknowledge the fault, and do so no more. This I told her was my ultimatum, for on no other footing could I ever restore her to fa- vour. Our debate was long, and many were the tears that descended from her eyes, till finding my resolution firm to abandon her, unless she made the concession required, and supposing too that her partner in guilt had betrayed all, she at length con- fessed her misconduct, yet sought to palliate it, by saying she had opposed his desires to the bat’s end, till overcome by force and pecuniary allurements.

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” But now, cried she, I am convinced of my error, and suffer as you must need suppose, the severest com- punction” I intend, to be as good as my promise, interrupted I, and shall, for this once, overlook all, though if henceforth you give me the least room to scruple your fidelity, believe it a fact, at that mo- ment I renounce you forever. Such were my denunciations and such, my real intentions, while in return the young minx promis- ed the best fashions in future ; thus terminated for the present, our unpleasing altercation. My mind, however, was ill at ease, for, previous tothis shock, I intended to have sought some commodious re- treat, in which to have spent, with her, the remain- der of my days. We now pursued the journey in apparent good friendship, and our next port was Wiscasset. Here I visited several sick people ; but, feeling anxious to pursue our flight, went on to Penobscot. In this place I continued dealing out medecines, for, per- haps a week, when news being carried to Doctor Thomas, the practicing Physician in, those parts, that I was busy among his customers, he became highly exasperated. I happened to meet him, one day, in company with several gentlemen, when he rebuked me, sharply, for my meddlesome officious- ness, as he termed it ; a smart altercation ensued, principally upon medical subjects, but its issue was, very little, to the Doctors [sic] credit or advantage. Quitting Penobscot, our next stage, was to San- dy River, in Farmington : Here we took lodgings, with my cousin Elder Tufts, a lay-preacher. This man of zeal, observing that a she animal formed part of my baggage, was suspicious of a little crimi- F f 2

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nality in our connexion ; he therefore took it on himself to be very inquisitive about whom the girl was, and whither we might be going. To ease his conscience, I told him she was my wife’s near rela- tion, whom I was conducting to her friends in the east, with whom she proposed residing in future. This account was satisfactory, but my kinsman’s pre- ciseness was so unaccommodating, that we bade him God bless him, early in the morning ; passed over to Belfast, and took lodgings at a house, the only inhabitants of which, were, an elderly man, a young woman, her child which was an idiot, and lastly an Irishman, a transient person, and whose occupation was that of a teacher or pedagogue. During the Irishman’s stay at this house, he and the young wo- man, above mentioned, had performed for each other the more essential duties of husband and wife, without the intervention of the priesthood. I tarried here a number of days, and on calculation, found that, since leaving home, I had more than cleared all travelling expences by medical and other casual emoluments. One day, while at Belfast, I had been on a visit to a sick person, and did not return to my lodgings till near bed time. On entering the door, I was met and accosted by the hostess herself, almost out of breath, who informed me (in a fit of jealousy no doubt) that my wife, as she called her, was locked up on the next room with the Irish schoolmaster ; adding, that, in her opinion, she was no better than she should be. I requested some explanation of this, and was told, that my informant, through a crevice, had peeped into their room, where she be- held them very lovingly folded together in bed,

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and by other palpable indications, was positive that they were furnishing my brows with a pair of ant- lers, vulgarly called horns. Though my hostess did not express herself precisely in the terms above mentioned, yet such, in fact, were their plain im- port. I stood aghast for some minutes, stupid with suprise [sic], and without uttering a syllable. My feel- ings it would be difficult to describe, I shall there- fore wave the attempt, and remark, only, that, at last gaining utterance, my loud execrations so mar- red the sport of the loving couple, that they aban- doned their retirement, in haste, and sped to ano- ther apartment. I did not follow ; but, having now a recent instance of the infidelity of my mis- tress, I was convinced, beyond a doubt, that las- civiousness was, indeed, her constitutional and incurable failing. For that reason, I was resolved to place, henceforth, no manner of confidence in her delusive professions or fair speeches, repenting egregiously, that I had been so unwise as to leave my own family, and stroll about, like a wandering Jew without a jacket, for her sake. I felt also a tincture of regret, on reflecting that my fond ex- pectations, my delightful dreams of happiness in her blithe society should be thus blown and dissi- pated forever. Though effusions of tenderness would sometimes arise, I knew it behoved me to check them ; for however indelicate my own con- duct, I could ill brook a partner, whose person was at any man’s disposal, whom chance or design might fling in her way. In a word, I was vexed at the arrant folly I had shewn in bringing upon my back this new load of dishonor, this unnecessary distress, by listening to the persuasions of a wanton, and

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longed for some casualty, that should separate us, effectually, forever. But to forsake her in a strange land had been base and dishonorable ; hence, my brain was puzzled in the choice of expedients ; at last, however, I resolved to give up our settlement in the east, and to visit Coos or Canada. This decree was communicated to my paragon of fidelity, but was far from obtaining her cordial acquiescence. I told her my resolutions were in- vincible ; that I could not think of an established residence in this section of the country, though nothing but her own conduct could have altered my first purpose. ” I was certainly disinclined, continued I, to be convinced of your libidinous propensity ; but when I see ” proof rise on proof, and still the last the strongest,” I can no longer re- sist the evidence of my senses.” As if touched with my reproaches, she seemed mightily overcome, burst into a flood of tears, and assumed all those airs of pretended contrition, which one class of women can command at pleasure. Though her efforts, were assiduous to soothe me, my inquietude increased ; I, therefore, hastened to defray my experiences at Belfast, and prosecuted our travels, till Canada received us into its rude yet friendly bosom. In this new world we visited many parts and places, too tedious for enumeration. Growing weary, however, of Canada, as was natural to my removing disposition, we made a sudden roving to Tamworth, in Newhampshire, subsisting very sprucely, the whole way, upon my professional earnings. From Tamworth we came to Meredith, thirty miles ; here I was readily recognized and saluted

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by the appellation of Dr. Tufts. This urged my abrupt departure, and Hanover was the next place, which, attracting our notice, invited a temporary sojournment. This is a neat, flourishing village, being the seat of Dartmouth university, the only collegial institution in the state, and as highly rep- utable as any one on the continent. We took lodgings at the house of Mrs. Greene, purposing to abide there, for, at least, a week. Up- on retrospect of our adventures, we here found that we had been absent from Lemington between four and five months ; had seen divers parts of the country, and had travelled to the tune of one thou- sand miles. But should the frequent mention of such elaborate journeys dispose any to scruple the veracity of my journal, I would obviate all objec- tions by observing, that I was well acquainted with the country, and enured, for many years, to much travel, and to great expedition in my routes ; to day, for instance, I might be in Lee or Canterbury perhaps, and by tomorrow, fifty or an hundred miles distant ; this being considered, the seeming inconsistency of my account will, at once, vanish. But to pursue the thread of my relation, which is now, to the great joy of the reader, perhaps, draw- ing to a close ; our station at Mrs. Greene’s proved so easy and agreeable, that we thought best to post- pone removal, till the waste of strength and spirits expended in those late wearisome rambles, should, in some measure, be repaired. On hundred and twenty miles from Lemington, we had not the slightest idea of being discovered or overtaken, by any of our offended kinsmen, which rendered us quite easy, on that head. But our imagined securi-

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ty was fallacious, for exceedingly early, one morn- ing, while I and my sprightly companion were still in bed, several men, armed with clubs, forced open the doors, and rushed into our apartment ; among whom, dismal to relate ! I distinguished the hate- ful features of my girl’s father. His abrupt ap- pearance, in our present condition, was a doleful surprise, as must be supposed, and an unutterable astonishment and mortification to us both. I hasti- ly caught my apparel, and attempted to dress, but in this was frustrated by the old Grecian himself, who spying his daughter in bed, under circumstan- ces so monstrous, broke forth into a most vehe- ment passion, swearing, outrageously, he would instantly have my life. This I had reason to be- lieve, for, without giving me a moment for defence, he struck my arm with his club, and seemed stub- bornly bent on pushin his threats against my life, into instant execution. My arm was totaly dis- abled by the blow ; but the rest of the mob, fear- ing the consequences of his vengeful phrenzy, in- terposed with effect, and thus prevented the effu- sion of blood. However, they officiously lent a hand for securing both the young woman and my- self, for having fitted themselves for the scene in contemplation, by a cherishing glass, removed us both to a place of safe keeping. Thus was I caught as a bird in a gin ; but in or- der to account for the unexpected appearance, at this juncture, of the girl’s father, it will be neces- sary to retrograde a little, for the sake of noticing, that one of those people, who happened to see and know me, as I passed through Meredith, had occa- sion to travel toward the east. This man com-

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menced his journey, just as I left Meredith, and passing through Lemington, he there saw and ac- quainted the girl’s parents with having been at Meredith, in company with a young woman, who, of course, must be their daughter. On this news the old man mounted his nag, in a mighty bluster, and coming to meredith, obtained such correct information, that he easily traced our route to Hanover, where he succeeded in making us both prisoners in the manner above noticed. Our surly dictator first took us before a civil magistrate, which, in his plan, was a preparatory step to my being sent to jail ; but the cautious jus- tice disinclining to intermeddle with such odd kind of business, the old blunderbuss, my prosecutor, was baulked of his invention, and forced to abandon it. For the sake of revenge, however, he took posses- sion of my valuable horse and baggage, then order- ing his female truant to pick up her alls, they pre- pared, instantly, for home. With this injunction, terrified at his menaces, she refused to comply, while he, with the fury of a bedlamite, protested, go she should, dead or alive. At last, by force and arms, he made out to place her on horseback, and in this manner, with girl, horse and baggage, they set off from Hanover. Although I felt no subordinate degree of humili- ation at being circumstanced thus, and bereft of my mistress, in so imperious and triumphant a man- ner, and by a man too, whose capacity and experi- ence I held in the utmost contempt ; yet, after all, the loss of my horse and other effects constituted, in my mind, the grosser mischief, and more mate- rial injury. In truth, the exceptionable conduct of

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my lost female, from nearly the beginning of our connexion, had proved a pretty strong antidote against the danger of inordinate partiality towards her person ; but, to be left destitute of all earthly subsistence, and one hundred and twenty miles from home, was a subject not of mental regret only, but real embarrassment. To return to Lemington dur- ing the present hurricane, I deemed unadvisable ; I therefore, made up my account to wander from house to house, and from place to place, in order, to pick up a casual subsistence by such paltry arts, as heretofore I had practiced so successfully. Thus intending, I left hanover, and took a circuit through the country, scarcely caring whither ; yet was una- ble to flee from the upbraidings of conscience, or to console myself for the blunders I had so madly commited. Go where, or into what company I would, still did cutting reflections, on the bitterness of impending ills, lacerate my bosom, and disturb its quiet. The image of an ill spent life, like the ghost of Banquo, haunted my imagination, inces- santly, and tempted me to censure the malignity of destiny, when my employment had been far better in cultivating a belief, that I had merited those dis- graces, in reconciling myself to the endurance of them, and in arming my mind against the future commission of crimse, such as had caused the present calamites.

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CHAP. VIII.

The soul’s dark cottage, batter’d and decay’d, Lets in new light thro’ chinks that time has made ; Stronger by weakness, wiser men become, As they draw near to their eternal home. WALLER. —-

ROVING about till I thought the dis- pleasure of my foes, and the rumour of my follies had a little subsided, I again ventured to shew my head at Lemington, though much ashamed of my late scandalous elopement, and of the mode in which it had terminated. My chagrin was the more poig- nant, since I could not but know, that my two sons, who were men of morals and account, and who pos- sessed families of their own, would vastly disrelish my ill behaviour, and withhold, perhaps, those ne- cessary contributions, which, of a long time, I had been used to expect and receive at their hands. Thus inwardly teased, I aproached with shame and distrust to that habitation, which I had abandoned so preposterously ; and there found, within its walls, my old wife, who was assiduously engaged in do- mestic concernments, after her usual industrious manner. She was not a little astonished at my sudden appearance, nor was I, in a less degree, abashed and confounded at her presence. To set up a justification, or even to extenuate my irregu- larities (during the present temper of my helpmate) seemed hardly to invite the experiment, I there- fore attempted neither. Reproaches and revilings, for conjugal infidelities, issued in vollies, from her G G

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mellifluous notes, and became the order of the day, till the tempest of her passions was wrought up to the sublimest pitch of phrenzy. It was manifest there could be no immediate calm ; wherefore, it imported me to put on the whole armour of re- signation, or quit the field, entirely, to my enraged antagonist. Of the venerable dame, my spouse, it could only be said, “she was once young ;” for with pretty large strides, she had now advanced towards her grand climacteric, being my elder by a number of years. As one would have supposed, it was high time for the old lady to exhibit a small portion of indifference for the hymeneal banquet, and to the indulgence of others in its delicacies ; far other- wise ; her juvenile feelings were not so forgotten, but she could view the itinerary, my capers and those of my female adventurer in the same odious point of vision, as though madam herself had been yet on the threshold of twenty. Be this as it might, the multiplicity of curtain lectures, that were constant- ly chiming in my stunned ears, I had scarce thought pardonable in a newly wedded wanton of the age just mentioned. They reminded me of the old Welch epigram, which, in a sens, may be apropos to our purpose ;

” Women, like men, will fade away, Their eyes grow dim, their teeth decay, BUt while they breathe the vital gale, ’Tis strange their tongue should never fail.”

How long ere those grating peals, had their ve- hemence been permanent as spiteful, must have put me to flight, is now problematical, since, before I was driven to that extremity, the torrent of her

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eloquence subsided, and left me to recover, by slow degrees, my ordinary standing in the family. In other words, after a deal of declamation, my con- siderate spouse, as in days of yore, repeatedly, so now, to prevent mischief, restored her contrite yokefellow to customary favors ; of which, con- descension and goodness, I hope to retain such lasting remembrance, as my in future deter me from provocations of a like filthy nature. Since that period I have carried my dish pretty uprightly ; have been guilty of few or no misde- meanors, but have persevered heroically in regular habits and virtuous resolutions. At times, however, I still budge about, as a travelling physician, in the hope of acquiring, in an honest line, if possible, a few pennyworths of bread, a meagre, but needful pittance, to aid me to the goal of life’s painful pil- grimage. By endeavoring to advance the benefit of my fellow creatures, and do all the good I can, I hope to make some little atonement, in the latter part of my life, for the many mischiefs and evils, which I brought upon myself, my family and others, in the earlier stages of it. And now, thank God ! I enjoy, through the medium of my own industry, a comfortable livelihood ; yet am subject to fre- quent remorse, and much disquiet, on the score of my past dissipation and glaring misdemeanors. Sincerely, I pray, that the bitter misfortunes here recited, may be a caveat to others, and a mean of deterring them from such flagitious pursuits and diabolical devices, as reason and conscience do not approve. By sad experience, I can say, that the ways of wickedness are not pleasant, nor her paths those of peace ; if the forbidding morsel be pleasing to the palate, it will, assuredly, be bitter in the digest-

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ion ; therefore, whoever would see blessings and hap- piness, whether in life or death, let him keep himself in all innocence, and follow unerringly the golden rule, ” to do unto others, as he would wish to be done unto.” May such be my motto and guide henceforth, ’till the candle of life shall refuse to glimmer in its socket. Thus, in the foregoing sheets, I have given, with as much perspicuity and brevity, as was practicable, in my situation, a general account of the adven- tures, travels, sufferings and persecutions, which have attended me, first and last, through the bois- terous vicissitudes of life ; I have worn no masks, no disguises, but have appeared in my every day dress. Although the matter has been culled from the rough, chiefly by force of memory, (for I kept few regular minutes) yet whoso shall read these pages, will know my real character, as well as a long personal acquaintance could have enable dhim. I have kept nothing backn nor ought have I extenu- ated ; neither have I dealt in ornamental flourish- es, for to the graces of refined composition I have little title, or indeed ambition, to lay claim. Plain truth I adopted as polar star, which I intended to pursue invariably, without compelling the reader to dance over the fairy land of metaphor, or grope through the darksome vallies of allegory. If sundry of my adventures should appear small and trivial, I can only say, that of such sort of stuff, generally, has my life been composed. Things of a trifling import may serve to develope the traits or peculiarities of a man’s character, and I wished to place mine in some conspicuous point of view, for I believe it to be indeed without example or paral- lel.

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Should any of the rising generation, by a perusal of my story, learn to avoid those quicksands of vice, on which I have been so often wrecked, I shal feel myself amply compensated for the trouble I have taken in its compilation. ” The wages of sin is death ;” the wages of a vicious, dissolute life is pun- ishment. That punishment, if not inflicted by the ministers of the law, is still our certain doom, by the invisible hand of inexorable justice. My in- iquities have been regularly visited with pain, pov- erty and stripes ; the examples, therefore, are full of moral, and teach, beyond a doubt, that our ac- tions, to insure happiness must be good ; the con- trary of which my own life most abundantly demon- strates. To hold up to view the monster sin, in his odious and abominable colours, must, and ever will, have a similar effect with, if not a more pow- erful one, than the picture of virtue arrayed in all her alluring and attractive charms. There is, therefore, a positive and negative example ; each in its tendency having the same effect upon the lives and morals of society. That my history is of the negative kind I need not inform the curious reader ; since, indeed, I have taught virtue, by the practice of vice only, throughout a troublesome life. The lines of the greatest of poets will here illustrate my ideas.

” Vice is amonster of so frightful mien, That to be hated needs but to be seen.”

Before concluding, I beg leave renewdly to ac- knowledge the numberless obligations I owe to di- vers gentlemen and ladies, for their disinterested kindnesses to me, both while under condemnation of death, and while at the castle, as also in many other of my trials and exigencies, as well before as after

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those periods. That they may be rewarded for their beneficence, both in this world, and in that which is to come, will be an object of my earnest intreaties. In respect to such as have injured me I heartily forgive them, as I hope the supreme ar- biter of events and judge of all things will vouch- safe to forgive me. I wish not to harbor resent- ment, and am determined to carry rancour against no one, in my bosom to the grave. I hope too that others will overlook the injuries they have sustain- ed in the loss of property, or otherwise, through my means ; inasmuch as I lament sincerely my injustice towards them, resolving, carefully, to shun similar aggressions for the future. Heaven grant I may do no more wickedly.

FINIS.

[Transcription by Daniel Allie, HenryTufts.com]