I seemed therefore to incline to stir in this matter, and thought, if I should get into any difficulty about it, it would be better to do it without consulting Mr.Burges, than, after having done it, to fly as it were in his face.

I then sent for the woman, and told her that she might appear with the witnesses at the Common Hall, where the magistrates usually sat on a certain day.
We all met at the time appointed, and I determined to sit as near to the mayor as I could get.

The hall was unusually crowded.

One or two slave-merchants, and two or three others, who were largely concerned in the West India trade, were upon the bench; for I had informed the mayor the day before of my intention, and he, it appeared, had informed them.
I shall never forget the savage looks which these people gave me; which indeed were so remarkable, as to occasion the eyes of the whole court to be turned upon me.

They looked as if they were going to speak to me, and the people looked as if they expected me to say something in return.
They then got round the mayor, and began to whisper to him, as I supposed, on the business before it should come on.