sition.--The scene was a striking illustration of
"Confusion worse confounded." Luckily our two observers were in a
situation without the reach of injury; they therefore "smiled at the
tumult and enjoyed the storm."

The landlord now interfered in defence of his fragile property.
Preliminaries of peace were agreed on, through his high mediation, and
finally ratified betwixt the contending parties, ending as they began,
like many other conflicting powers, _statu quo ante bellum_!

"And now to serious business we'll advance, says one of the King's of
Brentford.

"But first let's have a dance."

The present party followed exactly Mr. Baye's proposition; the dance and
the row over, they now proceeded to serious business.

Seated in various groups, each engaged itself in conversation, which,
from its almost inaudible expression, was singularly contrasted with the
recent tumultuous uproar.

The next box where sat our two friends, was occupied by cracksmen and
fogle-hunters, one of whom, whose superior skill gave him an ascendancy
over his associates, had delineated on the table the plan of certain
premises, and having given in a very low tone of voice, a verbal
illustration to his fellow-labourers, with what intention it is not
difficult to conjecture, observed, "We may as well _pad_ (walk) it, as
_Sir Oliver_ (the moon) is not out to night."

~181~~ The party to whom this remark was addressed, prepared to pad it
accordingly,--when the desired egress was opposed by the entrance of
three men, who unbuttoning their great coats, exhibited, each a hanger
and brace of pistols, and took the whole community, male and female,
into safe custody

This was a _coup-de-main_ on the part of the captors, and sustained with
the most perfect _sang froid_ by the captured.

The officers next turned their attention to Dashall and Tallyho, who
giving their cards, and candidly explaining the motives which led them
into the temporary society of the prisoners, they were treated with
becoming respect, the officers with their captives proceeding on
their route to Bow Street, and our heros to the occurrence of future
adventure.

Tallyho congratulated himself on his escape from expected mortification
and inconvenience, but Dashall, whose more active and enterprizing mind
was not to be checked by trifles, enjoyed the vague apprehensions of his
friend, and by way of making amends for the penance they had inflicted
on themselves in Shire Lane,