of the
whole world and for his own conscience, to declare what he knew
concerning him. But he, with a dogged and surly carriage, told the
people he was not obliged to confess to them; yet immediately before his
death, he said he knew nothing of his master's death, nor what had
become of him but they might hereafter possibly hear.

Mr. Harrison's account of his being absent two years, and of his return
home, addressed to Sir Thomas Overbery, Knight

Honoured Sir,

In obedience to your commands, I give you this true account of my
being carried away beyond the seas, my continuance there and return
home.

On Thursday, in the afternoon, in the time of harvest, I went to
Charringworth to demand rents due to my Lady Campden, at which the
tenants were busy in the fields, and were late ere they came home,
which occasioned my stay there till the close of the evening. I
expected a considerable sum, but received only twenty-three pounds
and no more. In my return home, in the narrow passages amongst
Ebrington Furzes, there met me one horseman, and said, _Art thou
there?_ and I, fearing that he would have rode over me, struck his
horse over the nose, whereupon he struck me with his sword several
blows, and ran it into my side, while I with my little cane made my
defence as well as I could. At last another came behind me, ran me
in the thigh, laid hold on the collar of my doublet, and drew me to
a hedge near to the place. Then came in another. They did not take
away my money, but mounted me behind one of them, drew my arms about
his middle, and fastened my wrists together with something that had
a spring lock to it, as I conceived, by hearing it give a snap as
they put it on; then they threw a great cloak over me and carried me
away.

In the night, they alighted at a hayrick, which stood near unto a
stone pit, by a wall side, where they took away my money. This was
about two hours before day, as I heard one of them tell the other he
thought it to be then. They tumbled me into the stone pit. They
stayed, as I thought, about an hour at the hayrick. When they took
horse again, one of them bade me come out of the pit. I answered
they had my money already, and asked what they would do with me,
whereupon he struck me again, drew me out, and put a great quantity
of money into my pockets, and mounted me again, afte