But this lawyer informed me that the brother was putting, even then,
another rod in pickle for me, and that I had better clear out. I
took his advice, I went to the widow's house, packed my trunk,
gathered together what money I could readily lay hands upon, and
with about $300 in my pocket, I started for New York, staying that
night at a hotel in Courtland street.
The following morning I went over to Jersey City, hired a
saddle-horse, and rode to Newark. The precise object of my journey I
do not think I knew myself; but I must have had some vague idea of
persuading Elizabeth to leave Newark and join me in New York or
elsewhere. I confess, too, that I was more or less under the
influence of liquor, and considerably more than less. However, no
one would have noticed this in my appearance or demeanor. I rode
directly to Elizabeth's door, hitched my horse, and went into the
house. The moment my wife saw me she cried out:
"For God's sake get out of this house and out of town as soon as you
can; they have been watching for you ever since yesterday; they've
got a warrant for your arrest; don't stay here one moment."
I asked her if she was willing to follow me, and she said she would
do so if she only dared but her brother had made an awful row, and
had sworn he would put me in prison anyhow; I had better go back to
New York and await events. I started for the door, and was
unhitching my horse, when the brother and a half dozen more were
upon me. I sprang to the saddle.
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