"Spare our lives! Take all I have!" cried one. "Here it is!" offering a handful of silver.
"That won't do!" responded the highwayman. "I'll soon see what you have about you!"
"Stay!" said the other. "My companion has our money hid away in his boot."
"Traitor!" exclaimed his companion, while one of the gang, with blackened face and cocked pistol, proceeded to take off the boots of the terrified victim.
"If you've spoken false," shouted the first, "I'll give you an ounce of lead for your pains."
"He has spoken truth," responded the searcher. "Here's a prize—a hundred pounds in Bank of England notes!"
Securing the money, the two travellers were blindfolded and bound to the finger-post, while the horse was taken out of their gig and turned loose on the common. It was nearly an hour before they were released from their position, during which period the ill-used victim vented his anger pretty loudly.
Upon reaching the next town where a deposition was made before a magistrate, the worthy Justice commented in rather a severe strain upon the base conduct of the miscreant who had acted so treacherous a part.
"Hear my palliation," meekly said the accused.
"Stand down; I've heard enough;" vociferated the man in authority.