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and was driving them towards the river when a party of the French were at his heels. One of them called out, “Young man, what have you to do upon the King of France's land?" To which Watson replied that “his present concern was neither with the King of France, nor about his land, but he meant take care of the English cattle.” The French officer who headed the party diverted with the oddity of the sight, and pleased with the manliness of the reply, ordered his men to stop and to give him no further molestation in taking away the cattle. This little feat of Watson was talked of with a good deal of pleasantry on both sides, and gained him not a little credit.
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To this I shall add an instance of his address and presence of mind.
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One day 3 or 4 French people came into Mr. Huston's store, and while they were looking at this and that, asking the prices sometimes, buying, and sometimes not, and chattering away. One of them, pretty light-fingered, slipt 2 (two) silk handkerchiefs into her pocket, unnoticed as she expected; it did not, however escape Watson's eagle eye. In the meantime he said nothing. But when the bills were drawn he very justly charged the silk handkerchiefs to the account of the possessor. The bill is presented to her and read. She objects. “Non handkerchiefs, monsieur.” “0 yes, surely.” “Non, non.” Meanwhile Watson skips about and, observing the corner of one out of her pocket, whirls it out. “Why, ma'am, here is the handkerchief.” “0, monsieur, me forgot.” Thus while Watson made the best of the little fraud, the culprit's companions did teaze her at no allowance, “certe satis —“
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When he was of an age to act for himself he entered into trade and became a co-partner with a Mr. Slater, then of Halifax. After this he tarried only about 2 years in this Province, most of which time he resided at Cumberland, trading there, while Slater did the business in Halifax, and now it was that he returned to England, where a prospect soon opened upon him much diff — from that which had urged his departure. A person of the name of Mauger or May, — then lately returned from Halifax, a gentleman of great property, advanced for him a considerable sum and procured for him a partnership in that mercantile house at the head of which he now presides, and another who holds a place in the Queen's household has been of considerable service towards his promotion. But his own growing capacity has rendered him equal to the duties of every
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