them, gave me as nice a coat of tar all over, face only excepted, as any
one would wish to see. Then they took the pillow and ripped it open at one
end, and with the open end commenced the operation at the head and so
worked downwards, of putting a coat of its contents over that of the
contents of the bucket. A fine escape from the hanging this will be,
thought I, provided they do not with a match set fire to the feathers. I
had some fear they would. But when the work was completed they gave me my
clothes, and one of them handed me my watch which he had carefully kept in
his hands; they all expressed great interest in my welfare, advised me how
to proceed with my business the next day, told me to stay in the place as
long as I wished, and with other such words of consolation they bid me
good night.

[Footnote A: I think this was Mr. Burns, a blacksmith in the place, but I
am not certain. At any rate, this man was my _friend_ (if so he may be
called) on this occasion; and it was fortunate for me that the company
generally seemed to look up to him for wisdom.]

After I had returned to my family, to their inexpressible joy, as they had
become greatly alarmed for my safety, some of the persons who had
participated in this outrage, came in (probably influenced by a curiosity
to see how the tar and feathers would be got off) and expressed great
sympathy for me. They said they regretted that the affair had
happened--that they had no objections to my living in Raleigh--I might
feel perfectly safe to go out and transact my business preparatory to
leaving--I should not be molested.

Meanwhile, my friends understanding that I had been discharged from
prison, and perceiving I did not come to them, had commenced a regular
search for me, on foot and on horseback, every where; and Mr. Smith called