‘I be, sir.’
‘Then pursue the criminal at once, with assistance, and bring him back here. He can’t have gone far.’
‘I will, sir, I will—when I’ve got my staff. I’ll go home and get it, and come sharp here, and start in a body.’
‘Staff!—never mind your staff; the man’ll be gone!’
‘But I can’t do nothing without my staff—can I, William, and John, and Charles Jake? No; for there’s the king’s royal crown a painted on en in yaller and gold, and the lion and the unicorn, so as when I raise en up and hit my prisoner, ’tis made a lawful blow thereby. I wouldn’t ‘tempt to take up a man without my staff—no, not I. If I hadn’t the law to gie me courage, why, instead o’ my taking up him he might take up me!’
‘Now, I’m a king’s man myself; and can give you authority enough for this,’ said the formidable officer in gray. ‘Now then, all of ye, be ready. Have ye any lanterns?’
‘Yes—have ye any lanterns?—I demand it!’ said the constable.
‘And the rest of you able-bodied—’
‘Able-bodied men—yes—the rest of ye!’ said the constable.
‘Have you some good stout staves and pitch-forks—’