gland in this dilemma
began to consider that his only safety lay in flight. This,
however, he found equally impracticable; he was detained,
and by way of consolation for his loss, was called upon for
a song. His lungs were good, and although his spirits were
not much exhilarated by the introductory part of the
entertainment, he began to "tip 'em a stave;" but whilst he
was chanting "The stormy winds do blow," a fellow cut off
his tail. This was worse than all the rest; it was, as it
were, a part of his working tools, and the loss of it was
likely to injure his business by an alteration of his
appearance, and could not be tacitly submitted to.

The magistrates gravely considering this a most serious
charge of unprovoked attack upon an industrious individual,
ordered the parties to find bail, in default of fully
satisfying the inoffensive dealer in pastry, which was
accordingly done.

In the year 1804, scorning to be behindhand in loyalty as
well as activity, he became a member of the Clerkenwell
Volunteers, and was placed in the light company, in which
capacity he obtained the character not only of being the
cleanest man, but the best soldier in the regiment.

It is said, that for amusement, or the gratification of a
whim, he will sometimes walk a distance of fifty or a
hundred miles from the Metropolis, and return the same way.
On such occasions he always manages to take some companion
or friend out with him, but was never known to come back in
the same company; for so irresistibly are they allured
forward by his inexhaustible fund of humour and
sprightliness of conversation, that they seldom think of the
distance till they find themselves too far from home to
return on foot.

~41~~"Then," said Bob, "he is not like some of the London dealers, who
invite their customers to taste and try before they buy, for he scarcely
seems to afford a chance of seeing what he sells."

"You did not try him," replied Tom, "nor would he have expected you to
be a customer. He is a remarkable character, well known all over the
Metropolis. Particularly noted for his activity in disposing of
his goods; never standing still for a moment, but accosting with
extraordinary ease and fluency every person who appears likely to be a
purchaser; always ready with an answer to any question, bu