I took from my pocket the piece of paper, legally authorising me to “search for, dig, and remove gold from the crown lands of the colony.” I handed it to the trooper.
He appeared much disappointed, at finding it was “all right.”
“What made you run away from us?” he demanded angrily.
“What made you think I was running away from you?” I inquired in turn.
“What made you run at all?” put in the second trooper.
“Because I was in haste to reach home,” I answered.
The two then talked together in a low voice, after which one of them told me that I must go along with them.
“For what reason?” I asked; but received no answer. They were either unwilling, or unable, to give me a reason.
The two policemen, who had pursued me on foot, now came up; and all four insisted on my being taken along with them, a prisoner, to the police camp!
I refused to come out of the tent; and cautioned them not to enter it—without showing me their warrant, or some authority for the intrusion.