"Why, if it comes to that," says I in turn, "who the devil may you be?"
He scrutinised me closely, and then, "Coachman," he called, "bestir your horses."
"Come, come," says I, for the old scarecrow tickled my curiosity, "there's no need to quarrel upon our characters. You have had the highwaymen here?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Four dirty rascals," he said; "and we're in no humour for another."
"Look 'ee," says I sharply, "I allow no one to repeat a mistake."
He surveyed me with indifference, smiled, and withdrew his head. "In that case," he said bluntly, "'tis ill to waste your time and ours."
He was a surly old cock, and, but that I knew Dan must have skinned him close, I would have dragged him forth and served him according to his deserts; and, in truth, I was half in the mind to despoil him of some of his fine fig, but just then another voice broke in.
"Sir," says this noodle, "if you be an officer, as I should judge by your dress, I pray you will despatch these villains. I am a poor man and can ill afford to lose my purse, but if a small reward will serve—"
"Ha, ha!" says I, nodding, "here is some sense at last," and, drawing the roan nearer, I looked into the coach.