ante-chamber, by the
help of a bench that stood under the window, I flung to the door of my
room, which I locked with great expedition, and opening another that
communicated with the staircase, ran out of the house, through a crowd
of more than a hundred people, whom this fray had gathered together.

"Being universally beloved in the neighbourhood, and respected by my
lord's servants, I passed among them untouched, and took refuge in
a neighbouring cottage; while his lordship bawled and roared for
assistance, being afraid to come out as he had gone in. Without waiting
for his deliberations, I changed clothes with the poor woman who had
given me shelter, and in her blue apron and straw hat sallied out into
the fields, intending to seek protection in the house of a gentleman not
far off, though I was utterly ignorant of the road that led me to it.
However, it was my good fortune to meet with a farmer, who undertook to
conduct me to the place; otherwise I should have missed my way, and
in all probability lain in the fields; for by this time it was eight
o'clock at night.

"Under the direction of this guide, I traversed hedges and ditches; for
I would not venture to travel in the highway, lest I should fall into
the hands of my pursuer, and after I had actually tumbled into the mire,
and walked six or seven long miles by the help of a good spirit, which
never failed me on such occasions, I arrived at the place, and rung the
bell at the garden gate for admittance. Seeing my figure, which was very
uncouth, together with my draggled condition, they denied me entrance;
but, when they understood who I was, immediately opened the door, and I
was hospitably entertained, after having been the subject of mirth, on
account of my dress and adventure.

"Next day I returned and took possession of my house again, where I
resumed my former amusements, which I enjoyed in quiet for the space
of a whole month, waiting with resignation for the issue of my lawsuit;
when, one afternoon, I was apprised of his lordship's approach by one
of my spies, whom I always employed to reconnoitre the road; and so
fortunate was I in the choice of these scouts, that I never was betrayed
by one of them, though they were often bribed for that purpose. I
no sooner received this intelligence, than I ordered my horse to be
saddled, and, mounting, rode out of sight immediately, directing my
course a different way from the London road. I had not long proceeded