The High Toby

ouds that lay furled upon the moon, and till then was as still as a mouse. But Calypso's hoofs started a wether bleating near by, and it ran jumping into the distance, w

'twas gall to me to play jackal to Dan, or to anyone else for the matter of that; so, putting my boots into Calypso, I rode down the valley at a gallop, but I had gone no farther than a few hundred paces when a clatter of nags cam

red the high road near the foot of the heath. Right afore me, and wrapt in the shadows of a black clump of trees, was the hulk of the stage, out of which proceeded a

th, "here's more of the gentry,

fell inside the coach, and then a head

high voice. "We are by this plucked to o

d heath! I feared 'twould be so,"

me. I have been mistaken afore now for his Highness,[199] and for Jack K

ed his eyes over me without a wor

?" says he, with a queer

at," says I in turn, "w

and then, "Coachman," he ca

ed my curiosity, "there's no need to quarrel upon

r dirty rascals," he said; "and

arply, "I allow no on

withdrew his head. "In that case," he said b

ave dragged him forth and served him according to his deserts; and, in truth, I was half

2

your dress, I pray you will despatch these villains. I am a poor man

ome sense at last," and, drawing the

pretty sheepish; and one, as I dis

and the coachman to be frighte

e nothing. The ruffians wore black masks and swore abominably. For my part, all I can say is that there was the cracking

man suavely, "with less noise than if it had been a Sabb

ith anger. "There were tears enough to have touched a[201] heart of stone, an

nd, sure enough, I could perceive even in that light she wore an air of quality. But I pu

mith, the which trade hath in

, "spare us the repetition of your circumstances; and since," she added with a sneer, "t

guineas in my bag," sa

e hint in the lady's words about me, the

chant, sir,

glance at the lady, "we ha

red and[202] fifty guineas you will place me deeply in your debt. A King's offic

and then, turning to Hoity-toity, I

rceive that she was very elegant, but she wore a

ness to catch robbers." I bowed very solemn, and she eyed me with asperity. "I have been rifled of m

King's highway," says I. "These gentlemen of

ficer to say that!"

laim to dignity. I am a poor civil gentleman, of

dain. "Five able-bodied men,

2

e already explained that you must not reckon with me, having th

ff voice. "We must be going," says he, "or may

man, lifting his eyebrows. "I assure you, I have no

hing, for the ol

I, "here is

hat comes swelling with fine feathers and a cock-a-doodle-doo about assistance? Oh, were there stuff enough within the four walls of this carriage, some one

ed whimsically at me; but, sure, I liked h

2

d and jocund temper, and can scarce keep my teeth inside my lips; I should grin upon a tombstone. But as for your misfortu

st my years. You brag of your sword!" (she puffed her nostrils in a sneer), "had you arrived five minutes sooner, the

tled me; and "It seems," says I, "that we are a pack of superfluous cravens. Why is the

d gentleman caustically-"sinking for

t have your valiant aid, no[205] doubt your comforta

's tongue; but I kept myself i

s I come to the table w

es! The hoofs of their horses were not round the cor

estalled 'em," say

ere young gentlemen of blood blink not at danger, and to lose five m

es in a brave town. And what would these young gentlemen do?

ls of a coach; and I should have my jewels w

ng gentlemen indeed, and of a rare d

2

tily, "if you will be good enough to resume your jour

d the horses plunged forward a step; but I

when the lady's jewels are in question, a

leaving at once," said the

quits with 'em. But it was the ejaculation of the goldsmith as set the idea suddenly in my head, for, says he, in astonishment, taking up the old gentleman's phrase, "You will undertake the quest, sir?

it being of untoward audacity for to seat you next her ladyship." And then, putting my head right through the window, I says, addressing the lady in the most pretentious, solemn manner, "Your ladyship," I says, "frame me in your fancy, howeve

ell, I would juggle with Creech for a venture. I knew Dan's haunts well enough, and that as like as not he was hiding in The Woodman for to celebrate his success. And, sure enough, when I had crossed the heath and struck into the pine wood on the further slopes, after concealing Calypso in a thicket, there was old Kettle[208] met me at the door of his inn, very suspici

ck Ryder?" says he. "We t

g's service, I

You'd best forswear, then, or Dan'll crack no bottl

gues were sprawling upon the floor, pretty far gone in liquor, as I conceived.

he cried, "what do you out of your bed at

eirs is a heavy price,[209] and I'm quit of 'em." And with that, n

"sit down and tipple along of us. Stab me if I ke

; and presently, after I had drunken, I looked about me, but could see nothing of the booty. "Ah!" s

damme, you're so devilish shy. Plague take you, haven't I given you your chances? Stab me, you fine young ba

"and a good well-thumbed

d be dragging your pockets along the gr

ake a coac

opping off the box into your mouth, and none to deny you. Eight hundred and thir

ys I, very

and without more ado, but as if anxious to strut upon his dungheap, he put his hands between his legs, and fetching out a casket,

e exultation of drink and success, could not hold his tongue, which it was not my desire that he should. "Where's your

I would have it openly, and so I says plumply

his dirty finger against his

2

ashion; "I have taken a main l

into a fit

d will his nursey give him the pretty things for a plaything till he falls asleep? Oh, Dicky, Dicky, stab me but

ou like; "you won't deny me, old frie

d he, "here's a queer game, hearties! Here's a poor young man w

in the air. "Come, Danny," says I, affably; "I will toss against you, with th

Dick[212] Ryder," says he, grinning, "come and fetch 'em. There's none as can charge meanness upon me. Take 'em, cocky; stab

for though I had little doubt that I could manage the three with them in a drunken condition, I was not for spilling blood, at anyrate at that stage. So what does I d

m well," says I, "fo

you can take 'em. D'ye see? I'm not a man to botch my w

I, "I'll figh

taunt. I have as many bloody facts to my tally as, maybe, Dick Ryder himself. But I'm no precious ba

tis all one with me. I'll have

ust lie. Strike me a proper balance. Curse me, if you're for sport, I'll meet you. Put up that crown.

rd," says I,

h gru

so," s

d sword and all, yoursel

y blood for m

dress, for all the world like a gentleman in his Majesty's service. Stout muscles, Dick, but small wits behind 'em. What say you? You s

2

, but it served my purpose; and so, after a paus

rrow night," says Dan

t. "I'll take you," says I;

reached out his hand, which I took. Filling a glass, I nodded at th

ked at me savagely. "Damn you!" he said, "keep your toasts to yourself, and

I tossed off the wine very leisurely. "Good Danny," I said; "there's sense in your t

ord, the adventure was ready to my hands,[215] for to cheat three such clumsy sots was no difficult task for me. I scarce gave

night for to gnaw the vitals out of a hedgehog,

?" says he, wit

e up?" I asked, p

ys he, cursing a

udden action took him by surprise, and though he struggled I forced him presently upon his knees. "Why," says I, pleasantly, "sure, I told you I was upon the King's service, Tom, engaged by his sacred Majesty for to g

2

nded in the yard. In an instant I slipped Tom's cloak about me, and, all muffled to my nose, withdrew a pace into the darkness, at the same time letting the point of my sword fall on the cully's chest. I reckon that he knew well enough

ou, you'd best put a bullet through Galloping Dick. D'ye hear? We have

ld, for I knew that all hung upon the change at midnight. And when that time came, and there was once more the sound of feet in the yard, I drew up stiff and stark, being solicitous for the hazard. Twas Blake that came to relieve me, but, as fortune had it, his head was mazed with sleep and drink, and he paid me little attention. I growled out an oa

out even a glance at me, chucked h

rgain he had struck with me. But that[218] did not disturb me, for I could bide my time; only it gave me a start, I confess, when, after half an hour in this fashion, he got upon his feet and came towards me. I had all along been feigning slumber, and as he came I managed to bury my head deeper in my cloak, lest he should take a suspicion of my phiz. He stood over a moment, and then, "Drunk," says he, and fitting his foot into the small of my back, shoved m

when I had inserted my fingers, they came upon a bag of goldfinches too, the which, as I recalled, was in our pact. And so with exceeding wariness I fetched both of 'em out, and only a quiver upon Dan's features to mark for it. That accomplished, I tripped it to the door, which I unlatched gently. Now all was going well enough, and I should have had the booty without more ado than a sharp time in the frost; only who should intervene, unexpected, but the fat sneak Kettle, upon whom, prowling round the barn after some dirty business of his own, I stumbled over the threshold. The shock sent me back against the door, which fell to with a loud bang, and what with that and with the alarm Kettle made, Creech and the others were upon their feet and wide awake

o be done at this juncture for the noise of my advance would be heard, and so I lay very still in the brake for upwards of an hour. By that time the night was yielding, and the dawn came up in a thin white mist, that stretched like a counterpane upon the forest. Overhead heavy-be

roan to him, and there he sat upon his haunches, just afore me in the bracken, with his eyes on the nag. Not a twig stirred as I approached, and my steps fell noiselessly upon the grass, for here the forest was more op

, "you would not rob a poo

ite with rage, a

ul, Danny, and forego wicked words-also," says I, "thos

take his fangs out, and so brough

2

I again, very cheerful, "And now, Danny," I says, "'tis time for an innocent young fellow like me to be getting home to his mammie; which

icket, and now I heard him scrambling through the bushes, yelling and whistling as he went. I was not afraid of him or his creatures, but I did not design to be caught, and so set Calypso's heels to work. But just as I did so there came up a clatter of hoofs from the yard near by, and I knew that Creech

the bushes, and slithering over the smooth rocks. I held her up with the reins, and more than once saved her from coming down upon her prats; and once she took me sudden under the overhanging bough of a tree, which fell so low that the sight of it set me a-blinking. But or ever I was past my doubts we were through, and the mare was clattering for the high road. Not until we reached this did I pull in

2

n I cantered, and Creech and his two lads behind me, very much excited, as I conceive, by the prospect of overtaking me. That, however, was not my notion; and no sooner were they drawn within shot than I put the spurs into Calypso and forged out of range again. This man?uvre I repeated several times, till their faces must ha' been

nto the hostelry. I was now, as you may conceive, possessed of a roaring appetite, and ordered breakfast forthwith to be served in the said upper room. And no sooner was I got there and set comfortable upon a seat, than the three horses came thundering down the road and drew up with a plunge before the doorway. I laughed at that, for I knew they w

Why," says I, "if they be hones

en hard," says

as departing, when I suddenly fetched him back. "Has the coach been lon

2

half an hou

hat too contented me, and I sat down and handled my knife. It was a little time afore any feet ascended the stairs, and then at last the handle turned and in tramped Creech, all alone, with a

, Danny, to come for to cheer up an old friend like this. 'Tis poor fare

not looked for me to talk

" he said savagely, "and you'd best pu

sure. There's ten more hours to run-a pleasant little holiday for all three. And, b

. "You'll make their acquain

side, eh?" says

ting outside on your convenience, Captain; just

s, Danny," says I, going on

strained to carry the jest furt

ace over the job? What does this play-acting do? Bah!

he casket set it on the table afore me. Upon that I place

own words to me. "Come and take 'em, Danny. He

and gazed doubtfully at the door. I knew what was passing in his mind, and how he was meaning to set the other tyke

, you young

coward Creech, though mighty judicious out of his rage. But his leap availed him little now,

e, Dan,"

as already out of the window ere he had reached the stairs, and dropping silently upon Calypso, cast her free. Another instant more, and, t

s way the chase sped into the open plain beyond Belbury, Creech clinging like a leech, as I knew he would, to the smell of the gold. Half-way across the moor I stopped and listened. There, for sure, was what I wanted right ahead of me; and so, clapping back my heels, I galloped over the rise afore me, and

t I recognised, "bless me! here

. There was Hoity-toity, as plump and proud as you please,

er politely, "I trust that you have e

," says she shortly, but

2

full of reverses, best forgot; and the most excellent

your time is ill spent. In truth, I had not remembered your face till

disposed of it; and, saying no more, I drew the casket from my pocket, an

ou talk of." But here I glanced along the road, and there was the noise of hoofs coming over the hill. "And I pray,"

p and opened his mouth wide. But I laughed, and, sweeping my hat to the saddle, pulled

rd; but by that I was out of sight behind a clump of trees upon the heath, where, pausing, I looked back. The noise of a great commotion reached me; and there, as I guessed, stood Creech with t'others about the coach. I reckon that the passengers would have short shrift with that angry party. I watched 'em for a w