and try all in his power to trick me out of my vagrants. It is, however,
too true to be doubted; for having purposely delayed dinner till it was late,
he then insisted that I must not deny him the "very great honor of my company
that night." Soon as my consent was obtained, he despatched
a parcel of riders, to order in, with their guns, as many of his gang
as he thought would do. In the course of the night, snug as master Johnson
thought himself, I got a hint of his capers, and told my men
to see that their guns were in prime order.

While breakfast was getting ready, (for Johnson swore I should not leave him
"on an empty stomach",) lieutenant Jossilin came and told me
he did not understand the meaning of so many ill-looking fellows
coming about the house with their guns in their hands.

I replied that we should SEE PRESENTLY.

Breakfast then making its appearance, we sat down, and while we were eating,
(our men all on parade at the door) Johnson's men kept dropping in
one after another, till there were, I dare say, as many as thirty of them
in the room, ALL ARMED.

When breakfast was over, I turned to the constable, and desired him
to look to his charge, meaning the three vagrants, for that we would start
as soon as our men were all refreshed. Upon this captain Johnson said
he believed he should not let the prisoners go.

"Not let them go, sir," said I, "what do you mean by that, sir?"

"I mean, sir," replied he, "that the law is an oppressive one."