Tom.”
Dick’s hint was not lost upon the two bowlers. They watched their comrades; and listened intently for any manifestation of alarm.
* * * * *
94. Four celebrated highwaymen, all rejoicing in the honorable distinction of captain.
95. The exact spot where Turpin committed this robbery, which has often been pointed out to us, lies in what is now a woody hollow, though once the old road from Altringham to Knutsford skirting the rich and sylvan domains of Dunham, and descending the hill that brings you to the bridge crossing the little river Bollin. With some difficulty we penetrated this ravine. It is just the place for an adventure of the kind. A small brook wells through it; and the steep banks are overhung with timber, and were, when we last visited the place, in April, 1834, a perfect nest of primroses and wild flowers. Hough (pronounced Hoo) Green lies about three miles across the country — the way Turpin rode. The old Bowling-green is one of the pleasantest inns in Cheshire.
96. Money.
97. Man.
98. Stripped.
99. Fellow.
100. A particular kind of pugilistic punishment.
101. Kept each an eye upon the other.
102. Hands.
103. Deceive them.
104. Accomplice.
105. A farthing.
106. Cards.
107. Qy. élite. —Printer’s Devil.
CHAPTER 3
A SURPRISE
Was this well done, Jenny? —Captain Macheath.
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 highwaymen’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 and the horsemen, upon which the former’s countenance fell. 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, anyhow. 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; “never mind Tom King; another time will do for him.”
“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; “he’s a devil of a fellow to deal with.”
“Take him quietly,” said Paterson. “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 him, ma’am, where you are?” asked the chief constable, 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. Don’t use your fire-arms too soon.”
As if conscious of what was passing around her, and of the danger that awaited her master, Black Bess exhibited so much impatience, and plunged so violently, that it was with difficulty the ostler could hold her. “The devil’s in the mare,” said he; “what’s the matter with her? She was quiet enough a few minutes since. Soho! lass, stand.”
Turpin and King, meanwhile, walked quickly through the house, preceded by the host, who conducted them, and not without some inward trepidation, towards the door. Arrived there, each man rushed swiftly to his horse. Dick was in the saddle in an instant, and stamping her foot on the ostler’s leg, Black Bess compelled the man, yelling with pain, to quit his hold of the bridle. Tom King was not equally fortunate. Before he could mount his horse, a loud shout was raised, which startled the animal, and caused him to swerve, so that Tom lost his footing in the stirrup, and fell to the ground. He was instantly seized by Paterson, and a struggle commenced, King endeavoring, but in vain, to draw a pistol.
“Flip him,108 Dick; fire, or I’m taken,” cried King. “Fire! damn you, why don’t you fire?” shouted he, in desperation, still struggling vehemently with Paterson, who was a strong man, and more than a match for a light weight like King.
“I can’t,” cried Dick; “I shall hit you, if I fire.”
“Take your chance,” shouted King. “Is this your friendship?”
Thus urged, Turpin fired. The ball ripped up the sleeve of Paterson’s coat, but did not wound him.
“Again!” cried King. “Shoot him, I say. Don’t you hear me? Fire again!”
Pressed as he was by foes on every side, himself their mark, for both Coates and Tyrconnel had fired upon him, and were now mounting their steeds to give chase, it was impossible
