all sorts, without distinction, were disturbed, but very many were
imprisoned in most parts throughout the nation; and great search
there was in all countries for suspected persons, who, if not found
at meetings, were fetched in from their own houses.

The Lord Lieutenant (so called) of Oxfordshire had on this occasion
taken Thomas Loe and many others of our friends at a meeting, and
sent them prisoners to Oxford Castle, just before my letter was
brought to his hand, wherein I had invited Thomas Loe to a meeting;
and he, putting the worst construction upon it, as if I, a poor
simple lad, had intended a seditious meeting, in order to raise
rebellion, ordered two of the deputy-lieutenants who lived nearest
to me to send a party of horse to fetch me in.

Accordingly, while I wholly ignorant of what had passed at Oxford,
was in daily expectation of an agreeable answer to my letter, came a
party of horse one morning to my father's gate, and asked for me.

It so fell out that my father was at that time from home, I think in
London; whereupon he that commanded the party alighted and came in.
My eldest sister, hearing the noise of soldiers, came hastily up
into my chamber, and told me there were soldiers below, who inquired
for me. I forthwith went down to them, and found the commander was
a barber of Thame, and one who had always been my barber till I was
a Quaker. His name was Whately, a bold brisk fellow.

I asked him what his business was with me: he told me I must go
with him. I demanded to see his warrant: he laid his hand on his
sword, and said that was his warrant. I told him though that was
not a legal warrant, yet I would not dispute it, but was ready to