The High Toby

t might be) and turn the tables on them. Yet of these few one, I will confess, was a woman, and a woman I had eyes for, though I am not fool enough to cast my wits a

elf I have never taken up stick, lash, or fist against any

all the way from Deal to London I seemed possessed of a devil that would wag me, whether I willed it or not. I am not used to be so precipitate, but 'twas as if a cask of French brandy had gotten into my brains and set 'em a-quarrelling. At least, I was gay-headed and recked of nothing. Not that I care for any risk or peril under the sun

o, also, as it seemed, had lain at Dover overnight, having crossed in a packet from France, and was on her way to Winchester by Reigate and Guildford. The fellow was not given to talking, but more to listening, with his "bless me-s," but he was a simple rustic, and you may fancy that I led him on so that he opened his mouth as wide as I my ears. For this Lady Dane was a rich widow (so he said), and, moreover, a woman that was greatly besought in marriage by many suitors of all degrees, and both for her looks and her money. 'Tis not I that would

himself out, "rises late,

eyes on her, so that I might compare her with the beauties;" for he was the most obsequious in praise of h

the niece is well enough," says he, and recovered himself carefully. "Je ne sais quoi," says he, and shook his head with a mighty knowing look. "She would do pretty well,

ay), and we were within ten miles of Maidstone. So I bade him good-bye and good-luck, for he was not worth any gentleman wasting his hands on, and, turning the mare up a lane, left him to pursue his way to Maidstone alone. But a mile or so along the lane I pitched on a wayside tavern, where I took leave to rest and refresh the mare and myself while waiting; for, from what I had gathered from the steward, the lady would make no start before twelve, in w

in London. There was the lake, first gleaming with the sun, then with long shadows afloat and stretching, and at the last plunged in vacant[57] blankness. This was near upon twilight, and I was

lackey was a huge and bell-mouthed blunderbuss, like a brass viol. I could ha' yelled for laughter at the sight of them and their brave preparations. Rip me! what a formidable array 'twas, with two gallant fellows in livery, all ready to blow the soul out of s

ays he, as he draw

that's thirsty and tired of waiting on

5

led up his blunderbuss. But I put the point of my

man had spoke; and he had been right about her looks, for in her anger she was mighty handsome. But her companion, that was the niece, according to the steward, was by no

u?" she sai

isn't that rumpads you, so long as you be rumpadded; but if it be any convenience to you, why, se

g at me sharply, and, as I could see

59] miss in witness of its quickness. Never so much as a word have I spoke afore you

, and then it was that I got my first idea of her quality, for her

softer voice. "I thought 'twas only fat, bloated p

e be some jewels to crown the pile I will not refuse them"-for this,

p, but still k

ard, and I will even refrain my curse, if you will kindly withdraw your head and allow me to proceed"-and at that she thrust towards me a little bag. She was

id of his own mind. There is five hundred guineas with you, the which I will beg of you for a keepsake, and in kind memory also will ask those pretty toys." And I pointed at her nec

that the hazard was too great, as indeed it was, for I would have clapped holes through chaise and coachman ere they had rolled three paces, and her ladyship might have come off in that case

you in any way to use me decently? Lord forgive you,

o that, I would run him through his midriff. We are no money-weasels, and l

"And those that have spoken of you have given you

enough, and maybe she had heard of my adventure with Old Rowley

roads from one end of the kingdom to the other, and it has always come to my ears in good co

to Mrs Barbara Crawford an

ink of, more especially as a great frien

6

t her, for her glib tongue of a sudden had

in, as I remember n

little episode, for I thought it had passed out of mind. But seeing your ladyshi

ildford, that the affair happened, and I would swear that she had heard not a word of it, which,

d to meet a famo

how deeply I am in earnest, I will forego half the acco

the sight of the niece's eyes of a sudden warmed me and incited me; for she was looking at me gently, with an odd expression of

ean?" asked

deny my calling; 'tis efficient at the least. But if miss there

he expression fled from her face, which was

let us get on, since this gallant gentleman

Tis a scurvy long time sinc

ic in tone, "the gentleman will be getting imp

ghtily more handsome than herself and of a fine frailty. But I said nothing, o

es her ladys

mean it," says miss in a low voice.[64] "I

will do what I say," she sa

Indeed, madam, I may not. Ask

ar, and upon that, observing her to wince, she said aloud, "What, d'ye hesitate,

ine, madam," say

arketable value, there is a higher value I put upon them, sinc

r there was more worth in her jewels far than in her guineas. B

ed, and then, as it seemed, on a rap from her ladyship, very white of face and[65] drawn, leaned across to the window. I saw th

ady with her sneer, thinking, no doubt, that the

gainst her will. Fetch forth th

something leap in her eye. She put he

r must I make bold to help myself from ye? There is t

omeone in her fury; but suddenly containing herself, and considering, as I must suppo

t the price, I, at anyrate, will save

o pretensions to honour, and (as was clear) a very brutal mind and temper towards the girl. So I did that which maybe I should not ha' done, though 'tis hard to say, and no one ever

e she may keep. I war not on pretty girls. And as for yours, madam

ptible moment hesitated. 'Twas then, I suppose, that she made up her mi

t ye are wanting!" And she flung her bag at me; and with her finge

hem again; for I should think shame to rob the last jewel from a neck that so becomes 'em." This I said by way of consolation for her vanity,

ou've taken all I had, but for my niece here, who has had the privilege of your benevolence to retain what she ha

n Creech well, and had, indeed,

the face. "I was warned of a ruffian named C

I, "will reap nothi

he, "save fr

ter than to suppose he would be content with their asseverations. He would rummage and overhaul,[68] would Cr

go further, and save my niece from robbery and me from further needless alar

-well, I had not spared miss to let

I shall give yo

wits," said she, speaking evenly n

within a mile of Maidstone, and you

aid to venture so c

of Maidstone," said I. "Damme! I'll

adyship, and lay back in her seat. "And now, perhaps,

tection of beauty, which, after all, is pretty much what I was. There was no denying looks to her ladyship, but she was of a hard, handsome face that has never taken me. You would swear she would never change till the tomb swallowed her, but would grow old and fade white insensibly, battling for her beauty all the way, and holding its handsome ghost until the end. If there was anyone tha

he should be about, as was possible, but also lest my lady should play any trick upon me by the way. But I was not much afraid of that, as I knew there was nothing between us and Maidstone save a few scattered

nd you expose yourself in the front. It will serve if y

g before or behind! There's none will take me, an

t moved me, which is not strange in the circumstances; but I should feel more secure myse

in the front,

my rascals. But conceive a less brave and straightforward adventurer that sees not only blunderbusses a

ers nothing. You will have no assault while Dick Ryder'

rred to me that, being in the van, I could see more plainly into what we were running than if I were in the rear. And, sure enough, that came near my undoing, for we had not gone two miles further, and were still some way out of the town bounds, when the coach suddenly pulled up before a tavern in a little vi

all drank a draught to our better acquaintance and miss's eyes, maybe. But as I came round I was suddenly aware of a small crowd of people, some wearing uniforms, armed with

man! He is a

le before me in that quarter and the chaise to one side and the tavern t'other, and ere I could draw half

o prospect even of a struggle, for the numbers against me were great. I saw

7

Do you dare arrest an innocent man? Who is in aut

sort of fleece. "Who are you?" I asked, assuming the most haughty, arrogant air, "and u

I am Mayor of the town, and '

ing angrily. "If her ladyship blunders, and you thr

y herself intervened, or I would have m

t of five hundred guineas, which you will find upon him," said she, fo

ys the Mayor anxiously,

art for this," said I,

7

yship calmly, "sits in the coach,

" says Mr Mayor

of my two fell

at plain issue before the Mayor, he could not blunder very far. So I said nothin

he man that attacked us upon

and, rip me! I blessed the chit for that reluctance, tho

plain. You are a coward, that's what it is. Here,

at I had attacked them brutally; and says one that I had put a bullet

townsfolk. 'Twas along of that fountain, as it seems, and I cursed the little fat fool in my heart in that, being so garrulous, he had put a limit to his tongue. But at the same time I could not but admire her ladyship's admirable skill and cunning. Sink me! she was a wonder with her quickness, so to contrive to drag me into the trap. But these considerations availed me not

This was miss's voice, as I recognised, though I was amazed, and f

7

is it, you baggage?"

e coach in a state of excitement; and to her ladyship: "Why,

ickness, saw it just after me; for in the confusion the throng swayed, and some ran this wa

about and broke a third that stood there in the wind. The three thus scattered, with a whistle to the mare I dropped low in the saddle, and breaking out of

h I paused and listened. Sounds still came to me, sailing on the night, and I stood awhile, chuckling to think h

flying in her face with her claws;" and, the devil being in me, as I have

ithin a hundred yards of the inn, and he

aid I to a fello

ighwayman that has robbe

ps be!" and I moved on, until I came by

but the traps had vanished, and, I make no doubt, were looking for me busily. As I stood there thinking, s

ere?" she aske

g anxiously for a tobyman tha

7

will be caught. They w

the man to leave other

ean?" said she

hip," said I, "and

er ladyship," she said, a little b

deal with her ladysh

e said. "Go-go-I

" sa

tay you will do me no good, and yourself a

the small light, I vow she was mightily pretty. I suppose 'twas the devi

denied myself upon the roa

ight and I could see

be a[79] highwayman; at least,

m no gentleman, for I am that afore everything else, as I will prove on any buck's b