The story of his American adventures was originally published in the Gentleman’s Magazine, and has since been rehearsed by modern writers.  It seems that Drummond, who was a tyrannical fellow, set his new slave to fell timber, and finding his strength unequal to the work, punished him severely.  The unaccustomed toil and the brutality of his master told upon his health, and he began to sink under his misfortunes, when he found a comforter in an old female slave who had herself been kidnapped, and who, being a person of some education, not only endeavoured to console him, but also to instruct him.  She sometimes wrote short pieces of instructive history on bits of paper, and these she left with him in the field.  In order to read them he often neglected his work, and, as a consequence, incurred Drummond’s increased displeasure, and aggravated his own position.  His old friend died after four years, and after her death, his life having become intolerable, he resolved to run away.  He was then seventeen years of age, and strong and nimble, and having armed himself with a hedging-bill, he set out.  For three days he wandered in the woods until he came to a river, and espied a town on its banks.  Although faint from want of food, he was afraid to venture into it until night-fall, and lay down under a tree to await the course of events.  At dusk he perceived two horsemen approaching—­the one having a woman behind him on a pillion, while the other bore a well-filled portmanteau.  Just as they reached his hiding-place, the former, who was evidently the second man’s master, said to the lady that the place where they were was an excellent one for taking some refreshment; and bread and meat and wine having been produced from the saddle-bags, the three sat down on the ground to enjoy their repast.  Annesley, who was famished, approached closer and closer, until he was discovered by the servant, who, exclaiming to his master that they were betrayed, rushed at the new comer with his drawn sword.  Annesley, however, succeeded in convincing them of his innocence, and they not only supplied him with food, but told him that they were going to Apoquenimink to embark for Holland, and that, out of pity for his misfortunes, they would procure him a passage in the same vessel.  His hopes were destined to be very short-lived.  The trio re-mounted, and Annesley had followed them for a short distance painfully on foot, when suddenly horsemen appeared behind them in chase.  There was no time for deliberation.  The lady jumped off and hid herself among the trees.  The gentleman and his servant drew their swords, and Annesley ranged himself beside them armed with his hedge-bill, determined to help those who had generously assisted him.  The contest was unequal, the fugitives were soon surrounded, and, with the lady, were bound and carried to Chester gaol.