should he meet on the road anyone who should enquire for such a person,
I took my leave of him, and again set out with a determination to reach
London, thus disguised, if possible;--I travelled about 30 miles that
day, and at night entered a barn in hopes to find some straw or hay on
which to repose for the night, for I had not money sufficient to pay
for a night’s lodging at a public house, had I thought it prudent to
apply for one--in my expectation to find either hay or straw in the
barn I was sadly disappointed, for I soon found that it contained not
a lock of either, and after groping about in the dark in search of
something that might serve for a substitute, I found nothing better
than an undressed sheep-skin--with no other bed on which to repose
my wearied limbs I spent a sleepless night; cold, hungry and weary,
and impatient for the arrival of the morning’s dawn, that I might be
enabled to pursue my journey.
By break of day I again set out and soon found myself within the
suburbs of a considerable village, in passing which I was fearful
there would be some risk of detection, but to guard myself as much
as possible against suspicion, I furnished myself with a crutch, and
feigning myself a cripple, hobbled through the town without meeting
with any interruption. In two hours after, I arrived in the vicinity
of another still more considerable village, but fortunately for me,
at the moment, I was overtaken by an empty baggage waggon, bound to
London--again feigning myself very lame, I begged of the driver to
grant a poor cripple the indulgence to ride a few miles, to which
he assenting, I concealed myself by lying prostrate on the bottom
of the waggon, until we had passed quite through the village; when,
finding the waggoner disposed to drive much slower than what I wished
to travel, after thanking him for the kind disposition which he had
manifested to oblige me, I quit the waggon, threw away my crutch and
travelled with a speed, calculated to surprise the driver with so
suddenly a recovery of the use of my legs--the reader will perceive
that I had now become almost an adept at deception, which I would
not however have so frequently practiced, had not self-preservation
demanded it.
As I thought there would be in my journey to London, infinitely more
danger of detection in passing through large towns or villages, than in
confining myself to the country, I avoided them as much as possible;
and as I found myself once more on the borders of one, apparently of
much larger size than any that I had yet passed, I thought it most
expedient to take a circuitous route to avoid it; in attempting which,
I met with an almost insurmountable obstacle, that I little dreamed
of--when nearly abreast of the town, I found my route obstructed by a
ditch, of upwards of 19 feet in breadth, and of what depth I could not
determine; as there was now no other alternative left me, but to leap
this ditch, or to retrace my steps and pass through the town, after
a moment’s reflection I determined to attempt the former, although
it would be attempting a fete of activity, that I supposed myself
incapable of performing; yet, however incredible it may appear, I
assure my readers that I did effect it, and reached the opposite side
with dry feet!
I had now arrived within about 16 miles of London, when night
approaching, I again sought lodgings in a barn; which containing a
small quantity of hay, I succeeded in obtaining a tolerable comfortable
night’s rest. By the dawn of day I arose somewhat refreshed, and
resumed my journey with the pleasing prospect of reaching London
before night--but, while encouraged and cheered by these pleasing
anticipations, an unexpected occurrence blasted my fair prospects--I
had succeeded in reaching in safety a distance so great from the place
where I had been last held a prisoner, and within so short a distance
of London, the place of my destination, that I began to think myself
so far out of danger, as to cause me to relax in a measure, in the
precautionary means which I had made use of to avoid detection;--as
I was passing through the town of Staines, (within a few miles of
London) about 11 o’clock in the forenoon, I was met by three or four
British soldiers, whose notice I attracted, and who unfortunately for
me, discovered by the collar (which I had not taken the precaution to
conceal) that I wore a shirt which exactly corresponded with those
uniformly worn by his Majesty’s seamen--not being able to give a
satisfactory account of myself, I was made a prisoner of, on suspicion
of being a deserter from his Majesty’s service, and was immediately
committed to the Round House; a prison so called, appropriated to the
confinement of runaways, and those convicted of small offenses--I was
committed in the evening, and to secure me the more effectually, I was
handcuffed, and left supperless by my unfeeling jailor, to pass the
night in wretchedness.
I had now been three days without food (with the exception of a
single two-penny loaf) and felt myself unable much longer to resist
the cravings of nature--my spirits, which until now had armed me with
fortitude began to forsake me--indeed I was at this moment on the eve
of despair! when, calling to mind that grief would only aggravate my
calamity, I endeavoured to arm my soul with patience; and habituate
myself as well as I could, to woe.--Accordingly I roused my spirits;
and banishing for a few moments, these gloomy ideas, I began to reflect
seriously, on the methods how to extricate myself from this labyrinth
of horror.
My first object was to rid myself of my handcuffs, which I succeeded in
doing after two hours hard labour, by sawing them across the grating
of the window; having my hands now at liberty, the next thing to be
done was to force the door of my apartment, which was secured on the
outside by a hasp and padlock; I devised many schemes but for the want
of tools to work with, was unable to carry them into execution--I
however at length succeeded, with the assistance of no other instrument
than the bolt of my handcuffs; with which, thrusting my arm through
a small window or aperture in the door, I forced the padlock, and
as there was now no other barrier to prevent my escape, after an
imprisonment of about five hours, I was once more at large.
It was now as I judged about midnight, and although enfeebled and
tormented with excessive hunger and fatigue, I set out with the
determination of reaching London, if possible, early the ensuing
morning. By break of day I reached and passed through Brintford, a town
of considerable note and within six miles of the Capital--but so great
was my hunger at this moment, that I was under serious apprehension
of falling a victim to absolute starvation, if not so fortunate soon
to obtain something to appease it. I recollected of having read in my
youth, accounts of the dreadful effects of hunger, which had led men to
the commission of the most horrible excesses, but did not then think
that fate would ever thereafter doom me to an almost similar situation.
When I made my escape from the Prison ship, six English pennies was all
the money that I possessed--with two I had purchased a two penny loaf
the day after I had escaped from my keepers at the Inn, and the other
four still remained in my possession, not having met with a favourable
opportunity since the purchase of the first loaf to purchase food of
any kind. When I had arrived at the distance of one and an half miles
from Brintford, I met with a labourer employed in building a pale
fence, to whom my deplorable situation induced me to apply for work;
or for information of any one in the neighbourhood, that might be in
want of a hand to work at farming or gardening. He informed me that he
did not wish himself to hire, but that Sir John Miller, whose seat he
represented but a short distance, was in the habit of employing many
hands at that season of the year (which was in the spring of 1776) and
he doubted not but that I might there meet with employment.
With my spirits a little revived, at even a distant prospect of
obtaining something to alleviate my sufferings, I started in quest of
the seat of Sir John, agreeable to the directions which I had received;
in attempting to reach which, I mistook my way, and proceeded up a
gravelled and beautifully ornamented walk, which unconsciously led me
directly to the garden of the Princess Amelia--I had approached within
view of the Royal Mansion when a glimpse of a number of “red coats”
who thronged the yard, satisfied me of my mistake, and caused me to
make an instantaneous and precipitate retreat, being determined not
to afford any more of their mess an opportunity of boasting of the
capture of a “Yankee Rebel,”--indeed, a wolf or a bear, of the American
wilderness, could not be more terrified or panic-struck at the sight of
a firebrand, than I then was at that of a British red coat!
Having succeeded in making good my retreat from the garden of her
highness, without being discovered, I took another path which led me to
where a number of labourers were employed in shovelling gravel, and to
whom I repeated my enquiry if they could inform me of any in want of
help, &c.--“why in troth friend (answered one in a dialect peculiar to
the labouring class of people of that part of the country) me master,
Sir John, hires a goodly many, and as we’ve a deal of work now, may-be
he’ll hire you; ’spose he stop a little with us until work is done,
he may then gang along, and we’ll question Sir John, whither him be
wanting another like us or no!”
Although I was sensible that an application of this kind, might lead to
a discovery of my situation, whereby I might be again deprived of my
liberty, and immured in a loathsome prison; yet, as there was now no
other alternative left me but to seek in this way, something to satisfy
the cravings of hunger, or to yield a victim to starvation, with all
its attending horrors: of the two evils I preferred the least, and
concluded as the honest labourer had proposed, to await until they had
completed their work, and then to accompany them home to ascertain the
will of Sir John.
As I had heard much of the tyrannical and domineering disposition of
the rich and purse-proud of England, and who were generally the lords
of the manor, and the particular favourites of the crown; it was not
without feeling a very considerable degree of diffidence, that I
introduced myself into the presence of one whom I strongly suspected
to be of that class--but, what was peculiarly fortunate for me, a
short acquaintance was sufficient to satisfy me that as regarded this
gentleman, my apprehensions were without cause. I found him walking in
his front yard in company with several gentlemen, and on being made
acquainted with my business, his first enquiry was whether I had a hoe,
or money to purchase one, and on being answered in the negative, he
requested me to call early the ensuing morning, and he would endeavour
to furnish me with one.
It is impossible for me to express the satisfaction that I felt at this
prospect of a deliverance from my wretched situation. I was now by so
long fasting reduced to such a state of weakness, that my legs were
hardly able to support me, and it was with extreme difficulty that I
succeeded in reaching a baker’s shop in the neighbourhood, where with
my four remaining pennies, which I had reserved for a last resource, I
purchased two two-penny loaves.
After four days of intolerable hunger, the reader may judge how great
must have been my joy, to find myself in possession of even a morsel
to appease it--well might I have exclaimed at this moment with the
unfortunate Trenck--“O nature! what delight hast thou combined with
the gratification of thy wants! remember this ye who rack invention to
excite appetite, and which yet you cannot procure; remember how simple
are the means that will give a crust of mouldy bread a flavour more
exquisite than all the spices of the east, or all the profusion of land
or sea; remember this, grow hungry, and indulge your sensuality.”
Although five times the quantity of the “staff of life” would have
been insufficient to have satisfied my appetite, yet, as I thought
it improbable that I should be indulged with a mouthful of any thing
to eat in the morning, I concluded to eat then but one loaf, and to
reserve the other for another meal; but having eaten one, so far from
satisfying, it seemed rather to increase my appetite for the other--the
temptation was irresistable--the cravings of hunger predominated, and
would not be satisfied until I had devoured the remaining one.
The day was now far spent and I was compelled to resort with reluctance
to a carriage house, to spend another night in misery; I found nothing
therein on which to repose my wearied limbs but the bare floor, which
was sufficient to deprive me of sleep, however much exhausted nature
required it; my spirits were however buoyed up by the pleasing
consolation that the succeeding day would bring relief;--as soon as day
light appeared, I hastened to await the commands of one, whom, since
my first introduction, I could not but flatter myself would prove my
benefactor, and afford me that relief which my pitiful situation so
much required--it was an hour much earlier than that at which even the
domestics were in the habit of arising, and I had been a considerable
time walking back and forth in the barn yard, before any made their
appearance. It was now about 4 o’clock, and by the person of whom I
made the enquiry, I was informed that 8 o’clock was the usual hour in
which the labourers commenced their day’s work--permission was granted
me by this person (who had the care of the stable) to repose myself on
some straw beneath the manger, until they should be in readiness to
depart to commence their day’s work--in the four hours I had a more
comfortable nap than any that I had enjoyed the four preceding nights.
At 8 o’clock precisely all hands were called, and preparations made for
a commencement of the labours of the day--I was furnished with a large
iron fork and a hoe, and ordered by my employer to accompany them, and
although my strength at this moment was hardly sufficient to enable
me to bear even so light a burden, yet was unwilling to expose my
weakness, so long as it could be avoided--but, the time had now arrived
in which it was impossible for me any longer to conceal it, and had
to confess the cause to my fellow labourers, so far as to declare to
them, that such had been my state of poverty, that (with the exception
of the four small loaves of bread) I had not tasted food for four
days! I was not I must confess displeased nor a little disappointed
to witness the evident emotions of pity and commiseration, which this
woeful declaration appeared to excite in their minds: as I had supposed
them too much accustomed to witness scenes of misery and distress, to
have their feelings much effected by a brief recital of my sufferings
and deprivations--but in justice to them I must say, that although a
very illiterate, I found them (with a few exceptions) a humane and
benevolent people.
About 11 o’clock we were visited by our employer, Sir John: who,
noticing me particularly, and perceiving the little progress I made
in my labour, observed, that although I had the appearance of being
a stout hearty man, yet I either feigned myself or really was a very
weak one! on which it was immediately observed by one of my friendly
fellow labourers, that it was not surprising that I lacked strength,
as I had eaten nothing of consequence for four days! Mr. Millet, who
appeared at first little disposed to credit the fact, on being assured
by me that it was really so, put a shilling into my hand, and bid me go
immediately and purchase to that amount in bread and meat--a request
which the reader may suppose I did not hesitate to comply with.
Having made a tolerable meal, and feeling somewhat refreshed thereby,
I was on my return when I was met by my fellow labourers on their
return home, four o’clock being the hour in which they usually quit
work. As soon as we arrived, some victuals was ordered for me by Sir
John, when the maid presenting a much smaller quantity, than what her
benevolent master supposed sufficient to satisfy the appetite of one
who had been four days fasting, she was ordered to return and bring
out the platter and the whole of its contents, and of which I was
requested to eat my fill, but of which I ate sparingly to prevent the
dangerous consequences which might have resulted from my voracity in
the debilitated state to which my stomach was reduced.
My light repast being over, one of the men were ordered by my
hospitable friend to provide for me a comfortable bed in the barn,
where I spent the night on a couch of clean straw, more sweetly than
ever I had done in the days of my better fortune. I arose early much
refreshed, and was preparing after breakfast to accompany the labourers
to their work, which was no sooner discovered by Sir John, than
smiling, he bid me return to my couch and there remain until I was in a
better state to resume my labours; indeed the generous compassion and
benevolence of this gentleman was unbounded. After having on that day
partook of an excellent dinner, which had been provided expressly for
me, and the domestics having been ordered to retire, I was not a little
surprised to hear myself thus addressed by him--“my honest friend, I
perceive that you are a sea-faring man, and your history probably is a
secret which you may not wish to divulge; but, whatever circumstances
may have attended you, you may make them known to me with the greatest
safety, for I pledge my honour I will never betray you.”
Having experienced so many proofs of the friendly disposition of Mr.
Millet, I could not hesitate a moment to comply with his request, and
without attempting to conceal a single fact, made him acquainted with
every circumstance that had attended me since my first enlistment as
a soldier--after expressing his regret that there should be any of
his countrymen found so void of the principles of humanity, as to
treat thus an unfortunate prisoner of war, he assured me that so long
as I remained in his employ he would guarantee my safety--adding,
that notwithstanding (in consequence of the unhappy differences which
then prevailed between Great Britain and her American colonies)
the inhabitants of the latter were denominated Rebels, yet they
were not without their friends in England, who wished well to their
cause, and would cheerfully aid them whenever an opportunity should
present--he represented the soldiers (whom it had been reported to me,
were constantly on the look out for deserters) as a set of mean and
contemptible wretches, little better than a lawless banditti, who,
to obtain the fee awarded by government, for the apprehension of a
deserter, would betray their best friends.
Having been generously supplied with a new suit of cloathes and
other necessaries by Mr. M. I contracted with him for six months, to
superintend his strawberry garden, in the course of which so far from
being molested, I was not suspected by even his own domestics of being
an American--at the expiration of the six months, by the recommendation
of my hospitable friend, I got a berth in the garden of the Princess
Amelia, where although among my fellow labourers the American Rebellion
was not unfrequently the topic of their conversation, and the “d--d
Yankee Rebels” (as they termed them) frequently the subjects of their
vilest abuse, I was little suspected of being one of that class whom
they were pleased thus to denominate--I must confess that it was not
without some difficulty, that I was enabled to surpress the indignant
feelings occasioned by hearing my countrymen spoken so disrespectfully
of, but as a single word in their favour might have betrayed me, I
could obtain no other satisfaction than by secretly indulging the hope
that I might before the conclusion of the war, have an opportunity to
repay them, in their own coin, with interest.
I remained in the employ of the Princess about three months, and then
in consequence of a misunderstanding with the overseer, I hired myself
to a farmer in a small village adjoining Brintford, where I had not
been three weeks employed before rumour was afloat that I was a Yankee
Prisoner of war! from whence the report arose, or by what occasioned,
I never could learn--it no sooner reached the ears of the soldiers,
than they were on the alert, seeking an opportunity to seize my
person--fortunately I was appraised of their intentions before they
had time to carry them into effect; I was however hard pushed, and
sought for by them with that diligence and perseverance that certainly
deserved a better cause--I had many hair breadth escapes, and most
assuredly should have been taken, had it not been for the friendship of
those whom I suspect felt not less friendly to the cause of my country,
but dare not publicly avow it--I was at one time traced by the soldiers
in pursuit of me to the house of one of this description, in whose
garret I was concealed, and was at that moment in bed; they entered and
enquired for me, and on being told that I was not in the house, they
insisted on searching, and were in the act of ascending the chamber
stairs for that purpose, when seizing my cloathes, I passed up through
the scuttle, and reached the roof of the house, and from thence half
naked passed to those of the adjoining ones to the number of ten or
twelve, and succeeded in making my escape without being discovered.
Being continually harassed by night and day by the soldiers, and driven
from place to place, without an opportunity to perform a day’s work,
I was advised by one whose sincerity I could not doubt, to apply for
a berth as a labourer in a garden of his Royal Majesty, situated in
the village of Quew, a few miles from Brintford; where, under the
protection of his Majesty, it was represented to me that I should be
perfectly safe, as the soldiers dare not approach the royal premises,
to molest any one therein employed--he was indeed so friendly as
to introduce me personally to the overseer, as an acquaintance who
possessed a perfect knowledge of gardening, but from whom he carefully
concealed the fact of my being an American born, and of the suspicion
entertained by some of my being a prisoner of war, who had escaped the
vigilance of my keepers.
The overseer concluded to receive me on trial;--it was here that I had
not only frequent opportunities to see his Royal Majesty in person,
in his frequent resorts to this, one of his country retreats, but
once had the honour of being addressed by him. The fact was, that I
had not been one week employed in the garden, before the suspicion
of my being either a prisoner of war, or a Spy, in the employ of the
American Rebels, was communicated, not only to the overseer and other
persons employed in the garden, but even to the King himself! As I was
one day busily engaged with three others in gravelling a walk, I was
unexpectedly accosted by his Majesty: who, with much apparent good
nature, enquired of me of what country I was--“an American born, may
it please your Majesty,” was my reply (taking off my hat, which he
requested me instantly to replace on my head),--“ah! (continued he with
a smile) an American, a stubborn, a very stubborn people indeed!--and
what brought you to this country, and how long have you been here?”
“the fate of war, your Majesty--I was brought to this country a
prisoner about eleven months since,”--and thinking this a favourable
opportunity to acquaint him with a few of my grievances, I briefly
stated to him how much I had been harassed by the soldiers--“while here
employed they will not trouble you,” was the only reply he made, and
passed on. The familiar manner in which I had been interrogated by his
Majesty, had I must confess a tendency in some degree to prepossess
me in his favour--I at least suspected him to possess a disposition
less tyrannical, and capable of better view than what had been imputed
to him; and as I had frequently heard it represented in America,
that uninfluenced by such of his ministers, as unwisely disregarded
the reiterated complaints of the American people, he would have been
foremost to have redressed their grievances, of which they so justly
complained.