The landlord embraced this favorable moment of silence to collect all the bones and remnants of the whole day’s provisions, and divided them upon the plates which were upon the table. In a short time, one of them losing his balance, embraced the floor, and, by the noise of the fall, awoke the rest of the drowsy company, who all renewed their attacks upon the victuals. “How came these bones here?” cried one of them; “I do not remember that I ate any such victuals.” “Nor I,” said another; upon which the landlord was called and interrogated. “Why, surely, gentlemen, you have forgot yourselves,” said he; “you have slept sound and fair indeed! I believe you will forget the collar of brawn you had too, that cost me six shillings out of my pocket.” “How, brawn!” said one. “Ay, brawn,” answered the landlord; “you had it, and shall pay for it: you’ll remember nothing presently. This is a fine drunken bout, indeed!” “So it is,” said one of the company; “surely, we have been in a dream: but it signifies nothing, my landlord, you must and shall be paid. Give us another dozen bottles, and bring us the bill, that we may pay the reckoning we have run up.” This order was obeyed, and a bill presented, amounting to seven pounds, and every man was called upon to pay his share. The countryman shrunk back, wishing to escape; but one of them pulled him forward, saying, “Come, let us tell noses, and every man pay alike.” The countryman desired to be excused, and said his money was all exhausted; they therefore agreed that he should be exempted.
In the morning, the countryman, in order to procure money to carry him home, resolved to sell the chain in his possession: he accordingly went to a goldsmith, but, to his additional mortification, was informed that instead of gold, it was nothing but brass gilded over. He acquainted the goldsmith with the whole matter, who went along with him to a justice to obtain a warrant for the apprehension of Rumbold and his associates; but before their arrival, the worthy knights of the pistol had prudently decamped with their spoils.
Rumbold after this adventure had several narrow escapes; but, continuing his nefarious courses, he was at length detected, tried, condemned, and executed at Tyburn in the year 1689.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] Guineas.
WHITNEY.
This notorious malefactor was born at Stevenage in Hertfordshire, and served an apprenticeship to a butcher. He often mentioned that he was happily disappointed in his first attempt to steal.
He and his master went to Romford to purchase calves, and there was an excellent one that they would fain have had in their possession, but the owner and they could not agree about the price. As the owner of the calf kept an alehouse, they went in to taste his ale. While they were enjoying themselves, but lamenting the loss of the calf, Whitney whispered to his master, that it would be foolish in them to give money for the calf, when they might have it for nothing. The good butcher understood his meaning and entered into his plan. In the mean while they sat still drinking, waiting their opportunity.
Whitney and the Bear. [P. 134].