H. B. Marriott Watson

“ I knew well enough who it was, for Timothy Grubbe was not the man to leave himself touched with suspicions, and I had already fathomed his cunning purpose; which, indeed, was why I had forestalled him. His worship went to the door, and presently I heard voices in the hall, the one of which I distinguished easily enough. And after a little, as I sat sipping my wine, the Justice came back, in a rare perplexity of spirits and mind.
“Why, what is this?” he says. “Here is a fellow that brings a tale as like your own as may be, save that ’tis he is the hero.” ”

“ But this was more than I could endure, for Zacchary was struggling to be at Creech, and Creech was reaching round me to fall on Zacchary; and all because the one chose to take a fit of temper, and the other had filled his jacket tighter than was good for him.
“Curse you, Dan,” I said, “I’m no watchdog to keep two fools from each other’s throat. Drop that pistol,” I says, “and shake yourself together, while I muzzle this bloody-minded young rogue.” Creech muttered, but let fall his hand, and I pinioned Zacchary with my arms. ”

“ But, Devil or none, Timothy Grubbe was not a name to frighten me, nor was I to be lectured by a sot like Old Irons. And so I told him roundly; and then while we were drinking at the “Bull’s Head,” who should come up but the man himself.
He stepped forward to us smartly, as though we were the particular game he was after, and, “Ho! Ho! Dick Ryder,” says he, with that intolerable grin of his, “and there’s sport ahead, is there, Dick? Pretty goldfinches to nest in your pockets, eh? So, so, Dick; and you look full-mettled for business. ”

“ He said it so firmly, and with such an appearance of authority, that his worship looked staggered, and said nothing. It was time for me to put in my famble, if I was to keep my post; and “Ah!” says I, very sarcastic, “and ’tis a brave bold tongue you ply for a common cut-throat. You have it all pat, as one would say. And perhaps you could swear to ’em all in a court of justice? No one better! And I suppose, my fine fellow, ’tis me that’s this same Dick Ryder, and ’tis you as had charge of His Majesty’s treasure.”
Timothy Grubbe looked at me, with lowered brows, out of his little red eyes. ”

“ I would have an oath out of him somehow.
“’Tis a pity,” I said, turning to go, “that the rogues got away with the gold.”
“Ay, ’tis a pity,” said the Justice.
“I wish,” says I, “that I knew where ’twas hid—in some patch of wood, maybe.” The Justice nodded, but Timothy looked up suddenly, a flash of intelligence lit his eyes, and he ground his teeth fiercely and muttered, giving me a bloody look. I could not refrain from laughing at that. “Well,” says I, “’tis a comfort to know that one rogue at least will take no share in the plunder.” The Justice laughed too, and they all laughed ”

“ For the matter of that, we gentlemen of the road live no feather-bed lives, and it is our trade to forestall the assaults of Death. But this affair went against not only my judgment but my will; and I make no doubt that I would not ha’ taken up with it, had it not been that my pockets were bare, and my head was singing with wine. Altogether, at the moment, I conceive that the world and I were on pretty lively terms. ”

“ Stab us all, Dan, but we’re more than the match of King James’s scum.”
“There’s sense,” says I, well enough pleased, “and there’s spirit, too; and the sooner you come by your own again, the better for us all, Dan.”
“You’ll have your belly full soon enough, young fellow,” says Dan, with a sneer, turning on Zacchary. “’Tis not the cock that crows the loudest as uses his spurs best. And as for you, Dick Ryder, you know I’m no white liver, and I’ll trouble you to take back those words.” ”

“ But when he had mounted the box again and drove off, no doubt in high glee, I’ll take oath, weapon or no weapon, that I would have climbed over the roof and choked him from behind if I had had the free use of my limbs. Old Irons was right, and to be mixed up with a stinkard like that was a piece of folly for a boy. Why, it was for us dolts to settle the escort, while he sat comfortable in his hole, and never so much as showing a face in the fight! And when that was done, it was a pistol through the window for Zacchary and Creech and me, and the King’s pictures all for him! ”

“ I cried, feigning an excitement; “take him, your worship! ’Tis he, don’t let him escape.”
“Why, what’s amiss?” he says, surprised.
“’Tis the man himself,” I said.
“Your prisoner?” he asked. I nodded. “O my Lord,” says the Justice, rubbing his hands, “this is fine news. He has given himself into our hands. You shall see him, you shall face him, and identify him;” and he chuckled. I chuckled, too.
“Why, yes,” I says, “I’ll warrant I’ll face him.” With that, out pops the Justice, and soon after comes me in again with Timothy Grubbe, sure enough, on his heels. ”

“ I brought my fist down upon the bench with a thump.
“Does any man tell me,” I says, “that I’m not the match of a dozen snarling rascals such as may chance to pounce upon His Majesty’s coach this side of Chatham?”
“What!” said the chandler, starting. “Is there an escort to Chatham to-night?”
“Rot me,” says I, feigning to stare at him stupidly. “Whose wits are wool-gathering that you gabble about Chatham? I know what I know,” I says, “and I can hold my tongue with any man.”
“Yes, yes,” says old Nick-and-Froth soothingly. “Indeed, sir, ’tis so. ”

“ They’re all afraid of him and his barkers, they are. They know his stomach for blood, they do. We ain’t to do nothing, Dick Ryder, but to set down upon our prats and see ’em put up their hands and cry for mercy to this fire-eater here.”
“Hold your tongue, Dan,” said I angrily, for I could see Zacchary’s eyes gleaming. “Wait till we are finished with the job, and then, if you come out clear, you can settle your jealousies together. ”

“ I’ll warrant we all love a moon. ’Tis a fine sight to watch the heavens sprinkled with stars and to know that the Lord Almighty is upon His throne.” And chuckling to himself over his blasphemy, he called up the landlord with some wine.
But though I was embarked upon this business, and that in a kind of fellowship with him, I would see the rogue burst ere I kept him company. And the truth was that I was now maddened to be linked with him, but I durst not go back upon Creech, as I considered coming forth of the tavern ”

“ I have always borne a brain; there was never an adventure to my fist but I measured out its chances; and sometimes ’twas taken, though against all odds, and other times ’twas left for a piece of foolhardiness. ”

“ The coach was bound for Chatham, with kegs of his Majesty’s guineas for the ships there, and first I must post down the road early in the afternoon to determine a position for our ambuscade. I reckoned to come up with the escort over Shooter’s Hill, some miles this side of Dartford; and, having marked the spot and laid out a rude plan, I rode into Dartford itself, where I pulled up at the “Pigeons” for a pint of wine. ”