f my
country, and I beg you to do the same. Oblige me by releasing the two
gentlemen whom you have made your prisoners, and assist them to remount
their horses, for I am resolved that I will go to London and be
honourably acquitted. Once more, my lads, many thanks for your kind
intentions; and now I wish you farewell; and if you would do me a great
favour, you will disperse peaceably, and leave us to proceed on our
journey."

The men perceived that I was in earnest, and therefore did as I
requested, and in another minute I was again alone with my two keepers.

"You have behaved honourably, Sir, and perhaps wisely," observed one of
my conductors, as he was about to remount his horse. "I will not ask
you who those people were, although I have no doubt but you recognised
them yourself."

"No," I replied, "I did not. I guessed from whence they came, but I did
not recognise any one individual."

I gave this cautious answer, although I had recognised Captain Levee and
one of my own officers.

"Well, Captain Elrington, you have proved to us that you may be trusted,
and therefore, on your pledging your word that you will not escape, we
shall have a great pleasure in removing all unpleasant precautions."

"I certainly have proved that I would not escape, and will readily give
you my assurance that I will not alter my mind."

"That is sufficient, Sir," replied the officer; and he then cut away the
rope which bound my legs, and also took off the two leading reins
attached to the other horses. "We shall now," he said, "proceed not
only more pleasantly, but more rapidly."

My conductors then mounted their horses, and we set off at a good trot,
and in an hour arrived at the place where we were to put up for the
night. We found supper prepared for us, and good beds. My conductors
now left me free of all restraint, and we retired to our beds. The next
day we continued our journey in the same manner. My companions were
pleasant and gentlemanlike men, and we discoursed freely upon every
topic; no one could have imagined that I was a state-prisoner.

We arrived, at London on the fifth day, and I was then delivered over to
the keeper of the Tower, according to the instructions that my
conductors had received. They bade me farewell, and promised that they
would not fail to represent my conduct to the authorities, and gave me
hopes of a speedy release. I had the same idea, and took possession of
the apartments prepared