One day while I was absent from home, a man drove to the door the finest span of horses, I think I ever saw,—­black as jet, with proudly arched necks, and glossy tails that nearly swept the ground.  The gentleman sprang from his carriage, bounded through the open door, and in the most excited manner, began to inquire “who owns this establishment?  When will he return?  Can I be accommodated?  Can I see your barn?” &c.  The stable boy took him to the barn, from whence he soon returned; his face flushed, and breathing so heavily as to be heard all through the apartment; trembling so violently that he could scarcely speak at all,—­but made out to inquire, “if there was not some place besides the barn where he could put his horses?” He was told that there was a small shelter built for cows, in bad weather, and the next moment he was examining it.  In a very short time he had his horses and carriage stowed away in the cow-shed.  He acted like a crazy man; but when he had secured his horses, he re-entered the house and frankly apologized for his conduct.  “I may as well tell you the truth,” said he; “I am suspected of smuggling goods; a reward is offered for my arrest, and the constables are on my track, in pursuit of me.  My name is Cannouse, and I am from M——­, in Ontario County.”

But perhaps they can not prove you guilty of smuggling, said I, in an after conversation.

“Ah,” said he, “there is for me no such hope or probability; I have been engaged for the last few months in the sale of dress-goods and broad-cloths, and my exposure and flight is the consequence of my own folly.  While in the village of St. Catharines, I took a young girl out to ride, after she had engaged to accompany another young fellow, which of course offended him; and he being too well posted up on my affairs, went directly to the custom house officer and informed against me.  I was sitting in the parlor, perfectly at ease, when a young man, a relative of the young lady in question, burst into the room, shouting, ’Fly! fly! for your life!  The officers are upon you!’ And I did fly; with barely time to reach the woods, for as I sprang through the back door, the officers entered through the front door.  My horses were my first consideration; they had been raised by my father, and should I lose them, I should never dare to meet him again.  In my hasty flight, I engaged the young man to conceal them till night, and then to drive them to a certain place where I would meet him.  This he did, and I kept on my flight until I came to the house of a friend, where I halted to make inquiries.  The gentleman had just come from London, and had seen handbills at every conspicuous place, describing me and my horses.  I asked him what I should do?  He said, ’you are not safe a moment; there is no hope but in flight; avoid the main road, and get to the colony if you can; if you succeed, go to A. Steward; he is an upright man and will never betray you for money,’ And here I am:  if I am arrested, six months imprisonment, three hundred dollars fine, and the forfeiture of my father’s valuable and favorite horses, will be my portion.  I have had no regular meal for the last three days, and my head aches violently.”