nd I proposed to move homeward, when the constable gave me to
understand, he could discharge no prisoners but by order of the justice,
before whom we must appear. This renewed my chagrin, and I cursed the
hour in which I had yielded to Jackson's invitation.

About nine o'clock, we were escorted to the house of a certain justice
not many miles distant from Covent Garden, who no sooner saw the
constable enter with a train of prisoners at his heels, than he saluted
him as follows: "So Mr. Constable, you are a diligent man. What den of
rogues have you been scouring?" Then looking at us, who appeared very
much dejected, he continued: "Ay, ay, thieves. I see--old offenders; oh,
your humble servant, Mrs. Harridan! I suppose these fellows have been
taken robbing your house. Yes, yes, here's an old acquaintance of
mine. You have used expedition," said he to me, "in returning from
transportation; but we shall save you that trouble for the future--the
surgeons will fetch you from your next transportation, at their
expense." I assured his worship he was mistaken in me, for he had never
seen me in his life before. To this declaration he replied, "How! you
impudent rascal, dare you say so to my face? Do you think I am to be
imposed upon by that northern accent, which you have assumed? But it
shan't avail you--you shall find me too far north for you. Here, clerk,
write this fellow's mittimus. His name is Patrick Gaghagan." Here Mr.
Jackson interposed, and told him I was a Scotchman lately come to town,
descended of a good family, and that my name was Random. The justice
looked upon this assertion as an outrage upon his memory, on which he
valued himself exceedingly; and strutting up to Jackson, with a fierce
countenance, put his hands in his side, and said, "Who are you, sir?
Do you give me the lie? Take notice, gentlemen, here's a fellow who
affronts me upon the bench but I'll lay you fast, sirrah, I will--for
notwithstanding your laced jacket, I believe you are a notorious felon."
My friend was so much abashed at this menace, which was thundered
out with great vociferation, that he changed colour, and remained
speechless. This confusion his worship took for a symptom of guilt, and,
to complete the discovery, continued his threats, "Now, I am convinced
you are a thief--your face discovers it, you tremble all over, your
conscience won't lie still--you'll be hanged, sirrah," raising his
voice, "you'll be hanged; and happy had it been fo