And answered her:—“Ah! Gray, I’m back again,
But coming homeward four unholy men
Molested me and took my cash, and more—
The rogues decamp’d with all our weekly store.”
Those words had scarce escaped poor George’s lips
When he was struck with the advancing steps
As of a horse (’twas now just nine o’clock)
And then obedient to a hurried knock
The door was open’d, and a voice enquired
If master Hollybrand had yet retired