he old woman motioned to me to partake, and
this I was not loath to do. I made a hearty meal. I should tell you,
before we sat down to the table I had pulled out my pockets to show her I
had no money. The woman made a sign that she did not want payment for
her kindness. When we had finished our meal I looked about me, and
seeing that several things wanted putting to rights, such as emptying a
bucket, getting in some coals, and cleaning down the front pavement of
the house, I commenced working hard as some repayment for the hospitality
I had received. We Frenchmen can turn our hands to almost anything, and
my dexterity quite pleased the old lady. While I was busily sweeping the
hearth, I heard the sound of a horse's feet coming swiftly onward.
Terror-struck, I did a foolish thing. Fancying it must be some one in
pursuit of me, I dropped the little broom I was using, seized my cap from
one of the chairs, opened the back door of the cottage, and fled along
the garden walk, over-leaped a hedge, crossed a brook, and was off like a
hunted hare across the open fields. This was a silly proceeding, because
if the horseman had been any one in pursuit, the chances were that,
should he have entered the cottage, I might not have been recognized; and
if I had simply hid myself in some of the outbuildings that were near I
might have escaped notice altogether, while by running across the fields
I exposed myself to observation, and to be taken. When half over a field
I found there a small clump of trees, and a little pond. Down the side
of this pond I slipped and hid myself amongst the rushes; but I need not
have given myself any anxiety or trouble, for I saw the horseman,
whatever might have been his errand, flying along the winding road in the
distance.

"Having satisfied myself of my security, I started off and soon found
myself on the highroad again, and after a time I came near a fine old
mansion which presented a most venerable appearance. I could not stop,
however, to look at it, for I found I had taken a wrong turn and was
going back to Liverpool. I therefore retraced my steps and passed on,
going I know not whither. After walking for about an hour in a southerly
direction, feeling tired and seeing a barn open I went to it and found
two men therein threshing wheat. I made signs to them that I was deaf
and dumb, and asked leave to lie in the straw. They stared at me very
much, whispered amongst themselves, and at le