Page images
PDF
EPUB

"The best of friends must part," said Dick, "and I would willingly order another whiff of punch, but I think we have all had enough to satisfy us, as you milling coves have it, Zory!Your one eye has got a drop in it already, old fellow-and, to speak the truth, I must be getting into the saddle without more delay, for I have a long ride before me. And now, friend Jerry, before I start, suppose you tip us one of your merry staves; we haven't heard your pipe to-day, and never a cross cove of us all can throw off so prime a chant as yourself. A song! a song!"

"Ay, a song," reiterated King and the Magus.

[ocr errors]

"You do me too much honour, gemmen,' said Jerry, modestly taking a pinch of snuff; "I am sure I shall be most happy-my chants are all of a sort—you must make all due allowances-hem!" and clearing his throat, he forthwith

[blocks in formation]

V.

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

Bravo, Jerry-bravissimo!" chorused the party.

"And now, pals, farewell!—a long farewell!" said Dick, in a tone of theatrical valediction. "As I said before, the best friends must separate. We may soon meet again, or we now may part for ever. We cannot command our luck. can make the best of the span allotted to us.

* Qy. élite. - PRINTER'S DEVIL.

But we You have your

game to play. I have mine. May each of us meet with the success he deserves."

"Egad, I hope not," said King; "I'm afraid in that case the chances would be against us.'

[ocr errors]

“Well, then, the success we anticipate, if you prefer it," rejoined Dick. "I have only to observe one thing more, namely, that I must insist upon standing Sam upon the present occasion. Not a word. I won't hear a syllable. Landlord, I say—what, ho!" continued Dick, stepping out of the arbour, "here my old Admiral of the White, what's the reckoning-what's to pay, I say?"

"Let ye know directly, sir," replied, mine host of the Falstaff.

"Order my horse-the black mare," added Dick.

"And mine," said King, "the sorrel colt. I'll ride with you a mile or two on the road, Dick, perhaps we may stumble upon something.”

"Very likely."

"We meet at twelve, at D'Osyndar's, Jerry," said King, "if nothing happens."

"Agreed," responded Juniper.

"What say you to a rubber at bowls, in the mean time ?" said the Magus, taking his everlasting pipe from his lips.

Jerry nodded acquiescence. And while they went in search of the implements of the game, Turpin and King sauntered gently on the green.

It was a delicious evening. The sun was slowly declining, and glowed like a ball of fire amid the thick foliage of a neighbouring elm. Whether, like the robber, Moor, Tom King was touched by this glorious sunset, we pretend not to determine. Certain it was that a shade of inexpressible melancholy passed across his handsome countenance, as he gazed in the direction of Harrow-on-the-Hill, which, lying to the west of the green upon which they walked, stood out with its pointed spire and lofty college, against the ruddy sky. He spoke not. But Dick noticed the passing emotion.

"What ails you, Tom?" said he, with much kindness of are you not well, lad?"

manner

[ocr errors]

"Yes, I am well enough," said King; "I know not what came over me, but looking at Harrow, I thought of my school

days, and what I was then, and that bright prospect reminded me of my boyish hopes."

"Tut-tut," said Dick, "this is idle-you are a man

now."

"I know I am," replied Tom, "but I have been a boy. Had I any faith in presentiments, I should say this is the last sunset I shall ever see."

"Here comes our host," said Dick, smiling. "I've no presentiment that this is the last bill I shall ever pay."

The bill was brought, and settled.

As Turpin paid it, the man's conduct was singular, and awakened his suspicions. "Are our horses ready?" asked Dick, quickly. "They are, sir," said the landlord.

"Let us begone," whispered Dick to King-"I don't like this fellow's manner. I thought I heard a carriage draw up at the inn door just now- - there may be danger. Be fly!" added he to Jerry and the Magus. "Now, sir," said he to the landlord, "lead the way. Keep on the alert, Tom."

Dick's hint was not lost upon the two bowlers. They watched their comrades; and listened intently for any manifestation of alarm.

[blocks in formation]

WHILE Turpin and King are walking across the bowling green, we will see what has taken place outside the inn. Tom's presentiments of danger were not, it appeared, without foundation. Scarcely had the ostler brought forth our two highwayman's steeds, when a post chaise, escorted by two or three horsemen, drove furiously up to the door. The sole occupant of the carriage was a lady, whose slight and pretty figure was all that could be distinguished, her face being closely veiled. The landlord, who was busied in casting up Turpin's account, rushed forth at the summons. A word or

two passed between him former's countenance fell.

and the horsemen, upon which the He posted in the direction of the

garden; and the horsemen instantly dismounted.

"We have him now, sure enough," said one of them, a very small man, who looked, in his boots, like Buckle equipped for the Oaks.

"By the powers, I begin to think so,” replied the other horseman. "But don't spoil all, Mr. Coates, by being too precipitate."

"Never fear that, Mr. Tyrconnel," said Coates, for it was the gallant attorney: "he's sure to come for his mare. That's a trap certain to catch him, eh, Mr. Paterson. With the chief constable of Westminster to back us, the devil's in it if we are not a match for him."

"And for Tom King, too," replied the chief constable, "since his blowen's peached, the game's up with him, too. We've long had an eye upon him, and now we'll have a finger. He's one of your dashing trouts to whom we always give a long line, but we'll land him this time, any how. If you'll look after Dick Turpin, gemmen, I'll make sure of Tom."

"I'd rather you would help us, Mr. Paterson," said Coates;

him."

66 never mind Tom King, another time will do for

"No such thing," said Paterson, "one weighs just as much for that matter as t'other. I'll take Tom to myself, and surely you two, with the landlord and ostler, can manage Turpin amongst you."

"I don't know that," said Coates, doubtfully, devil of a fellow to deal with."

"Take him quietly," said Paterson.

"he's a

"Draw the chaise

out of the way, lad. Take our tits to one side, and place

their nags near the door, ostler.

Shall you be able to see asked the chief constable,

him, ma'am, where you are?" walking to the carriage, and touching his hat to the lady within. Having received a satisfactory nod from the bonnet and veil, he returned to his companions. "And now, gemmen," added he, "let's step aside a little. your fire-arms too soon."

Don't use

As if conscious what was passing around her, and of the danger that awaited her master, Black Bess exhibited so much

« PreviousContinue »