I've been playing the part of an English overseer from Bearsley's wine farm, and it has brought me all the way from the Douro in safety.

But the strain of it and the eternal fear of discovery are beginning to break me.
And now there's this infernal wound.

I was assaulted by a footpad near Abrantes, as if I was worth robbing.

Anyhow I gave the fellow more than I took.

Unless I have rest I think I shall go mad and give myself up to the provost-marshal to be shot and done with." "Why do you talk of being shot?
You have done nothing to deserve that.
Why should you fear it ?" Now Mr.Butler was aware--having gathered the information lately on his travels--of the undertaking given by the British to the Council of Regency with regard to himself.