The High Toby

ed there is naught in the case to make the blood sing. Now in a pretty lively turn of life on the road I have met many types, and some of these such characters as you would

my own for Epsom, like any gentleman with an important journey of his own before him. And so in truth I had, for I was to set up for my lord, if you please, with a lackey and all; but the affair, though 'twas humorous beyond fancy,

And here there was a savage rocking of the body of the chaise, and a cracking as of a wheel against something. So popped I forth my head and roared to the postilion, cursing him for his clumsiness, and he cursing back at the horses; and between us there was a pretty commotion. For here was a nobleman (save me!) upon his trave

er view; and the light, bettering at the same instant, showed[234] me a fellow with a hat askew on the bac

oldly as you will, and as cheerfully, poking his barker through the window, "now, my good sir, pray do not dally, but hand out forthwith.

sion that it had happened. But to that you will add this, that there was that in his air, as in his voice, and in the very swagger of his challenge, which showed me

ain, brave knight, or must I make 'em bark? I require of you all that you[235] have in the chais

ng way, "then are you a gen

n inclination of his head. "For myself, I should desir

in seeming indignation, "you shall

well be picked by crows on a gallo

" said I, in another voice; "the

"Yet I am in a mood to indulge you, so be you gi

egan to guess that this was maybe by way of a wager,

will let this document that is important to non

2

," says he, in

arch for my purse and gave it to him, the whic

d sheep, he paid little heed to his earlier precautions; and the next I had his pistol hand in my clutch. He was taken aback at the first, but struggled gamely, though (Lord save us!) he was no match for me. Wi

truggles, "and 'tis not the gallows will have you, sure

Oh, I will spare you them," says he;

ocked it clean off his face with the pistol, j

2

saw that his features were disfigured by a cynical smile. Yet there was in that express

tobyman would think shame to b

ood my man, get forward with your jo

r, "I know 'twas along of a wage

he moon without offering to

the road (save he be in liquor) 'tis for a serious purpose, and that's guineas.

" said he, "'t

d go woo the Triple Beam, and I find it in my heart to gi

[238] "'Tis no harm and no good to no o

I replied, and happened to

ed dimly, and I descried near a

g confederates, and accept of my terms to betray me.

to me that I saw the whole purpose of this ambush

yes had gone. But at that instant the waiting figure took to its heels and ran

Crookes!" sa

s, but feeling cautiously ahead. "And who

said he, and added: "'Tis

e[239] and the bargain ere my mind shifts,

and guardian to a young lady who returns me my passion. But he will none of the match, being anxious to d

mself. Ye're a young gentleman of the town,' says he. 'When I was young we was wont to be more than that; and, by God! young man,' says he, 'ye shall have her if ye rob a coach or carry stand-and-deliver to a chaise.' 'What mea

d I, seeing

" said he, and la

ic[240] comedy," said I. "And why d'

head. "I know

okes, Sir Damon's man, if that

never thought o

u, young cockerel, I would think twice ere I put fa

" he asked

; "took with a red hand. And why runs that ro

s he, starting,

ve. If I mistake not, down flies this Crookes with news of your discomfiture, as he would also have been witness to your succes

,[241] a frown on his brow. "Well?" said h

r Damon, and gads me! if there be not the sound of a v

me in wonder,

his be Si

d briskly, "ye're the gamest cock

ot want that the arriving carriage should come up with mine; and so bestowing

the naked oaks behind us, and we could perceive the huddle of a c

ays my friend, "'tis

onder. You shrilled too high, damme, for your spurs. If you would[242] venture another main, take heed to one that knows, and keep your eyes straight-as straight as your weapon. With level hands a

him bare for his pains, and enjoy it. I am y

trees, and he made a step forward, halted as if in doubt, and then dashed at it, shouting in

yman took, and not to be rumpadded himself. But he was of a stout spirit, and though there was my young gentleman at the window wit

r!" say

e damned first," says th

2

says my man, presently,

lace scoured for yo

sad case of dabbling white hairs red." With that, seeming to re

ant?" he asked i

loser in, and at the same instant uttered an exclamation of surprise. And so I daresay did Sir Damon also, for he must have recognised by that saying with whom he had to deal; the

th you, sir," said he, in a gay voice, as of one well c

dow in the ghost of a hand that was like a woman's for slenderness. "Ye're prompt in payment, my dear sir,"

have all, sir-you have all. My word spells my honour, unless, in

t I see you have company, and fair company too;" at the which, as you may

from the coach, sharply, "

real liking for the business, but was driven to it of necessity. Yet while I am in it I must e'en make what I can out of it. And

h with his ward and niece, maybe with the intent that she should publicly witness with her own eyes the wretched plight and humiliation of her lover; and now that lov

othing for a time, and then seeing, I supp

ur reward, though I confess I had not anticipated it. But to-morrow 'tis my turn, for I too have an unexpected card in the game. And so, when the lady is safely alighted in th

desired it, and this, you may conceive, was not a pleasant plight for the young fellow. But, bless you, he had no fears. He had won his bet, and he had handed forth his sweetheart, and was, I doubt not, all in a flurry of passion for the meeting. Bah! this love turns men dizzy; it steals their wits more wildly than wine

to the end, a notion flashed in my head and I came forward to the couple. Miss I could not see, for

await me. I will deal with this Lord Chief Justice myself;" and leaving

2

the window, and out pops the old

grows 'em like brambles," and would h

k you. But now he is gone off with my chaise, and I beg you will join us in pursuit. Sure, sir," seeing nothing on his face but its pale mask, "we be enough, arme

ergencies. If you are armed, as you say, and have the resolution, I do not know but the plan will fit i

place, the horse's heads turned again for the south, and Sir Damon and Dick Ryder chatting

design when I say that if this old fox was permitted to return straightway to town he would no doubt set the officers on his enemy and have him forthwith lodged in the jug. Maybe, thought I to myself, with a little trickery and a li

ale of mine about Jeremy St

t would look as if your ho

for the sideways are foul and lead nowhither. Moreover, they

beg you will give me a little leave. I

2

, but I took no offence, for there was no occasion. "Sir," said

ence; but presently, the chaise j

are upon a wild-goose chase, we shal

so far in advance-not he w

aid at last, shortly, "we will try a little longer;" and he peer

not yet done, and the coach rolls creaking out of Carshalton and on the way to Epsom. This seemed to stir the old gentleman again to perplexit

ht abroad," sa

2

babble about these foreign wars. Deliver us, a good English

cared not whether I saw him or not, "then you will h

?" said I, t

fought, sir, for his Majesty King James

all?" said I, sharply, being irked by his persis

ve you would have furnished material for a good soldier." He surveyed me meditatively. "Yes, I'

I, bluntly, "w

ce," said he, "but I think as 'tis shrewd

far. Let us[251] finish the adventure, sir, and not leave hold of it.

rowned all sound about us. But my senses are not sharp for nothing, and next I was aware of a glint of light upon steel

ed, sir. I am glad you are so forward. We may have a fall-to when we en

ope so; even, sir, to be a little better would be to my taste. As you

there silent and cool? But if he had no scent of danger what was the significance of his words, which did smell to me of the ironic? It angered me to be so baff

se when we reach Ewell? If I might without impropriety make a humble suggestion, I would advise that we ate some supper and

o a little laugh. "Why, you shall do as you please, s

n understanding. I think you are too young, and I am too old, to want to die by violence. We bot

to disclose myself, and I looked to be mightily tickled by

he asked

f[253] the turtle-doves that are cooing,

a little. "Ah!" says he, "the turtle-doves! I h

rily. "'Tis my business to look on and smile.

avely, "but I think you

" said I,

of a soldier, and the makings, as I have remarked. But, sir, l

enevolent heart, for to serve two young folks fond of bi

u will not make a more illustrious

, "you forget that at your invitation I

a smooth face upon it. I perceive you,

2

when others would stand agape, like oafs and asses. But he went on, in his still voice: "But now that I see our friend, the

nfederate,"

e penalty which I had designed as a wedding-presen

ld you that I am but

yebrows and shrug

w till the quarter-of-an-hour ere you came up, and I will be

penalty," he remarked dryly, and I could see

ng muckworm rumpadded me in my chaise just as you were[255] come

a sudden broke out into soft laugh

pleton! Faith, I could forgive-" He chuckled qui

menaces them that abduct or h

have abducted fro

, "let us leave it at that." And then, "

tobyman,

two handsome, dancing eyes." He paused. "I will not maintain," says he next, "that for happiness wi

"repay a fool with his f

too am a bachelor. And now that we are agr

2

r," s

be agreed all along the lin

r and bottle as was ever served in England," I interru

y. "I had an idea 'twas Carshalto

in a tavern that I know we shall be hospi

haise came to a stop, "and pray bear in mind,

e, and that's not beggary; and, damme, while I can keep suc

urned. "Nor I, Ryder, nor I," he