The High Toby

sat out the most roaring comedy of the play-houses. Not but what there were some high-stepping pieces to my taste in the town-well enough to clap eyes on, no doubt, but cockatrice

xpected meeting in the West Country, which, I will admit at the outset, and ere I saw cle

th Tony, chicken-hearted as he was, and I will not deny it; for there right before us lay the argument, in the shape of a rumbling, muddy, parti-coloured chaise that was creeping up the hill. Now it had so fallen out, more by way of a jest than by any material design, that we had scarified the occupant of this same carriage some ten miles back in the thick of a waste moorland that afternoon. 'Twas a mere idle freak, taken out of wantonness and upon a merry dinner, and by no means for the sake of the guinea or two that we found in his pockets. Tony gives the

says he. "And what

what I made of it,

e two by the time we reach Exeter," for, to be sure, swipes or n

liquor spoil your wits, I'll be damned if it shall mine. Nor

I suppose the traps will be waiting for us in a posse outside the White Hart. And I sh

"you forget 'twas broad d

sleep in Exeter, and I mind me of

with the wine and the sight of the windows twinkling in the town above me, I

n you, Dick Ryder, that I am no coward. And I will be hanged for a common cu

o round against his horse's rump. But Tony saw in a flash

ick Ryder. But I will warrant these daredevil humours will fetch us b

ss of your neck." And then, looking at him, I roared, "But, zounds, I don't wonder

l. The chaise had vanished, but for all[84] that I could see his thoughts were twittering about it. And in this way we rode up

me to dine upon a sanded floor and drink out of ale-jugs. Nothing short of the Whi

y own noddle! And, sure, the White Hart it shall be." With that I turn

" he cried in his alarm. "You

vil for me. I am weary of your clacking, a

for the ostler. Tony was still visible, standing agape in the centre of the road; but I paid him no heed, merely handing the bridle to the ostler, and then leaping from the saddle, I walked through the doorway as bold as you please. Now within the doorway there was a space of hall, very bare and plain, and upon two sides there opened doors into the further parts

, in a great taking. "'Tis a priv

de little of him. "The devil!" said I. "I will ha

"'tis a place privily set

, with a cackle, "for that i

8

"indeed this will be most vexatious to hi

s I, angrily, "I will have you know that I will have a door with brass k

er saluted my ears and a stream of light flashed in my eyes. What I made out was a long table, very elegantly prepared, and a dozen or more of gentle-folk seated at the board, and plying their knives like good trenchermen. There was a fire roaring on the hearth, and altogether the scene was very merry and presented a comfortable face. And what with that appearance of warmth and the smell of the viands[87] tickling my nostrils, I hesitated no longer upon the threshold where I stood, but pulling to the door, I strode across the room and

olitely admitted to the board-these were the enigmas that floated about in my head. Not that I was in any embarrassment; for it was enough for me if I was to be entertained thus royally, waited

8

ppose you were held at the Cou

trip myself over a word, "in a manner you may say yes,

active condition of mind, and it is like enough that what I said seemed from some corners of aspec

, soon again, "is in hi

a long-faced, handsome-looking fellow, whom, to say sooth, I had not as yet minded in t

d look on his face, and glancing a

hed through her wine, and not deal in the King's plain Eng

8

ngue," said he, with what I could perceive was a hint of the iron

g as yet, being taken up with the food and the attentions of this gaping oaf. But I was not to be confounded by him,

a smile. "I wear my profess

do," said

shall make it my duty to pursue our acquaintance. It is odd

onvinced that, whatever this d--d matter was, 'twas somet

The circumstances stand so plain[90] that there is no denial. By God! you are right; I'll

some amazement, and presently his face took

ive, of a fine oval face, very justly proportioned, a sallow brown in habit, and crowned above his rich brown eyes with a great brown wig, which sat awry upon his head, and added an effeminate look to the profligate softness of his lower face. His features were very finely marked, his nose long and straight and delicately fleshed, as were his curved and smiling lips; and his eyes, which were large within[91] the sockets, gleamed like agates between the narrow curtains of his eyelids, and sprang very quickly into one simulation or another. Altogether his

he man was bowing with a delicate and sickly smile to one that toasted him from t'other side, and in putting

,[92] surrendering, so to say, to my discharge; for I warrant I gave him a heavy broadside. But all the time I kept seeking in my brain for some way out of this damnable predicament. Presently he catches up a piece of paper, and ripping out a quill, mak

entials." And with that, feeling that the matter was passed out of my hands, I turned on my neighbour,

had not my wits been disturbed by the incident I have related. But, in point of fact, it mattered very little

ng," he says.

e same lordship casting his eyes upon the paper.

who may you be?" he asked, with som

no reminder of his necessary civilities," for by this I saw his lordship's

ance, and we both stared at t

at my legs took a tremor at the words; but I can keep a face upon me with any, and so I stared at that sinist

y neighbour. "'Tis well. I have

rake, almost of an age with myself, seated there in his chair, crept over me like the pest, and discharged my wits abroad like a spray of sand scattered afore the wind. I cast my eye again on him, for, indeed, I could not keep it away, and a faint sardonic grin touched his face as he met my glance. He summoned to him a lackey and spoke in his ear with an imperious gesture, whereat the fellow, seeming very much frightened, hurried out of the room, and I doubted not that he was gone for the officers. Hi

9

hey shall learn that Dick Ryder is not to be browbeat by a lot of scurv

hbour, I began very loudly, and as i

have never seen his lordship in a better condition and better plumed for service! A worm in hi

he room, reaches me the ears of all this company, as I had desired, and more particularly those of his lordship, for wh

d like to look on him attentively," he says, "that I might know him again. He must be a fellow worth acquaint

oor neighbour fell into a fluster, and ran white and red in turns, opening his mouth, and trembling

eart to be sorry for him; and, after all, he had served me very

him that my remarks in praise of yourself were addressed, I

wn; and then appearing to recover himself, as he was used t

im the justice to acknowledge that, I hope, on our[97] better acquaintance." And he laughed somewhat harshly, and eyed the board as if inviting a round of acclamation.

you will; "'tis almost as well known as your l

oked at him savagely. "I will remember you, Charteris," he said simply, and I saw the light flaming in the eyes he directed

ted whilst waiting on the officers, "there is more resemblance be

will be greedy of your advice while I may.[98] Look you. There was a man tried afore me this day that had rumpadded a civil and innocent gentleman upon the King's highwa

he took

and smiling towards the door, "I fancy the

was took, I would ha' hanged him, for 'twas a poo

. "What interpreter

at the law was twisted by its dis

opened his lips so that the white teeth shone, and

ng way. "Faith, they will presently be saying th

though I wondered to hear the prime engine of that infamous conviction jest so wantonly upon it. But that was Jeffreys's way, to offer a bold face and play the bully when

ance. You are bold upon your virtues. I have met your kidney before, and if I must hang a knave, I prefer to hang one with an in

gs like a book. Faith, I would griddle

of one that has tired of the play, at the same time nodding to the lackey

per to his neighbour, "'tis a pity to go farther. Faith, I thi

l of his lordship was intended, and I had as yet gotten no very clear notion in my head. Yet at the next opening of the door, and when the first noise of heavy feet sounded on the threshold, my thoughts spouted forth in a clear stream, and there sat I as taut

of a natural curiosity, what robbed thee of thy senses to fetch thee

, "I have come here uninvited, 'tis true, and I proffer you my apologies for the

1

ed?" says he, harshly. "I am not used to have any business b

he most urgent message, an

se me, but I set my gaze upon him very intently,

the higher," and he motioned to me to draw nearer, at the same time that the other gentlemen of the King's counsel withdrew to the bottom

e you make?" asked his lordship, roughly, as soon

shall assure you; and as for myself, believe

at him

1

," said he, sharply. "I cann

d," I cried. "I bear a m

der his brows in suspicion. "Wh

one that shall rest so no longer by God

the eyes, and then, turning to the sheriff's officers, ordered them to withdraw a little; after w

," he said, "to bri

more than that for th

me, what is this message, then?" h

he were taken with the bait, but I swore to hook h

news[103] from the coast?" says

watching me with his be

will be aware. The whole of the North is disaffected against his Majesty.

uarters," said Jeffreys, in a low v

ave it then and there. "The Prince," s

f, "I have had runners from Plymouth this aftern

is not from Plymou

you whence-" he be

so, that I have not yet delivered my mes

claimed sternly. "Deliver this me

1

rince himself, no less. I have ridden all day upon a circuit. Three noblemen were named, and your lords

delicate face changing with a dozen

d. "You would come here and offer me a cock-and-bull tale, thin

e risk. 'Tis in your office to sound a word, and these fellows will take me forth upon a capital charge of treason. I have cast my die for the go

ustice of this realm does not

in his blood; he would not[105] have kept me haggling th

wayman talked of state politics with the Lord Chief Justi

his fingers. "Who the devil are you?"

ce they spring. Indeed, it was the gentleman's natural conclusion. I was pressed to carry my mission. Sure I have been worse

adocio I think that converted him, as much as anythi

said, "unless your lordship de

I fear that we must lodge you there in

1

tter," said I. "Bu

face of inquiry. "This may be

suavely. "As large an escort of horse as you wil

t appears," he said grimly. "But you

d at me. The next moment I was surrounded and in their arms; but I played my part like a play

as the time[107] drew on and I had ample leisure to digest the various aspects of the adventure, I confess I was assailed by a fear lest Jeffreys should have been disporting himself with me, or should have cocked the white feather, and that I was still to rest and rot in that pestiferous dungeon. So that when at last the door swung wide and one of the turnkeys appeared, I was like to have cried out in my glee. 'Twas the signal, sure enough, for I was t

hom I supposed to be the Chief Justice himself. But presently, and when our faces were well set upon the Plymouth highway, and there was less chance that the cavalcade would invite curiosity o

Mr Ryder," says he, "to wha

chance I was playing, and now that I had my two legs across Calypso once more, it would go badly with the whole half-dozen of 'em if I did not show a clean pair of heels somewhere and sometime. But

"But it appears that I must commit myself, and no one

n your argument-and, for myself, I would at once admit you to my plans. B

1

impatience, "I suppose tha

l learn," said I, "with the permission and from

ng his features. "You are a bold man, Mr Ryder," he exclaimed, with something of a sneer. "I may remi

ed servant is conversing with me. I am sensible of the peril in which I

e heels within the precincts of the compter once, and there I

y, "you will be nothing bettered, and King W

ng, angrily c

1

peril, sure, with your hands upon me, but consider upon what risks you yourself also move. I am familiar to the Prince; my errand is known about his Court. Turn about your horse, fetch

ing slowly, "You have," he said, in a quieter voi

f Monmouth welcomed but yesterday? Nay, the people of this very country-side, newly trodden and trampled by King James's dragoons, scarred and lacera

ain that he had entertained these same thoughts, and that my design had given him several unhappy ho

midst of a circle, and was evidently to consider myself a fast prisoner in the meantime. Now I had bred in my mind a very tolerable design by which I might have given 'em the slip, but by this time I was too nearly watched for that, and the bare appearance of the little inn of Wolcombe, which I was contemplating, would have served to start suspicions, if not certainty, in Jeffreys's noddle. So thinks I to myself that 'tis ever a bold course that runs the least risk, as, indeed, I have alwa

" asked Jeffre

"If you will march with me a little in the fore of t

nd he saw that the road was clearly an approach to some great house. At anyrate, he issued an

said at once, "that t

roop came to a halt here, and his lordship turned to me as who should ask, "What must be done now?" It was manifest on the instant that my only course lay in some prompt act, seeing that there was no opportunity to show my heels; and so, beckoning him with a quiet motion, I jogged on towards the house, Calypso's heels making a devilish noise trampling on the stones. Somewhere within the house shone a faint light, though 'twas long past midnight, and it seemed, therefore, that someone w

r way. Keep ye here, and you

1

the door swung gently back. With a spring I was across the threshold-and click goes t

while the light he car

. Your lives hang on it. There is a pack

urriedly from the door. I followed hi

"pray use me with no suspicion. I am come to warn you. See, I be

?" he asked, being

the scurvy rogues," said I, very pat and indignant, "and I have

p is abed, s

said I, "hal

I dare not

1

"Then you shall have your

ve a blunderbuss," says h

"Why, 'tis a veritable band of roarin

e cried, and wrung his h

of a back door, to leave Jeffreys and his crew to cool their heels on the terrace. But I was by this time infused with a certain

et of rascals for ye, all a-hungering for blood, they are, all a-spitting on their hands to

n voice sounded from somewhere above, and a tall lean old gentleman, wrapped

1

e you at, Jenkins?

a gentleman that has come to warn us-and there is a pack of high

e," cries the old gentleman, in a peppery voice

ried poor Jenkins

d 'em away. You must get rid of 'em,

as awake, and there came the sound of doors opening, and forth f

of old Jeffreys outside, "'tis true there's highwa

wits," says he, pettishly

he knocks on the door, and shutting him off

1

hen?" s

make your terms with the ga

he old gentleman, querulously. "Jenkins, you sha

ffreys would be getting suspicious in his mind, and I was now resolute to put a score upon him for his ugly behaviour. So said I: "There is no need, my lord, to entrust the mat

utly, and armed himself forthwith with

screant. And with that, as if the affair was already at an end, the old gentleman pulls his wrapper close around him and returns very

ocks," said

r fears and their excitement that not on

says a wench, with a shiver, a

they popped away like rabbits in a warren. There, sure enough,

r; "the Prince was abed, but w

ll, emerging under the dim light; and then, all of a sudden a hassock came rustling through the air and took him in the belly. Over he went with a little gasp, and measured his length upon the floor. Upon that leaps out my friend Je

says one fat wench, and turns over

amations and the screaming, to say nothing of the noise of Jenkins's warming-pan

e nether darkness of the house. Here, by picking my way through divers passages, I presently came forth by a side door and passed out into the night. A shrill whistle in the old way fetched Calypso to me whinnying, and as I put my hand upon her bridle I turned back and listened. There was that pandemonium still within t