s."
Sir Launcelot desiring the beadle would forbear, was instantly obeyed by
that officer, who had no inclination to put the authority of his place in
competition with the power of such a figure, armed at all points, mounted
on a fiery steed, and ready for the combat. He ordered Crabshaw to
attend him to the next inn, where he alighted; then, taking him into a
separate apartment, demanded an explanation of the unconnected words he
had uttered.

The squire was in such agitation, that, with infinite difficulty, and by
dint of a thousand different questions, his master learned the adventure
to this effect. Crabshaw, according to Sir Launcelot's command, had
alighted from his horse, and drawn his cutlass, in hope of intimidating
the discomfited robber into a tame surrender, though he did not at all
relish the nature of the service. But the thief was neither so much hurt
nor so tame as Timothy had imagined. He started on his feet with his
pistol still in his hand; and presenting it to the squire, swore with
dreadful imprecations, that he would blow his brains out in an instant.
Crabshaw, unwilling to hazard the trial of this experiment, turned his
back, and fled with great precipitation; while the robber, whose horse
had run away, mounted Gilbert, and rode off across the country. It was
at this period, that two footmen, belonging to the coach, who had stayed
behind to take their morning's whet at the inn where they lodged, came up
to the assistance of the ladies, armed with blunderbusses; and the
carriage proceeded, leaving Timothy alone in distraction and despair. He
knew not which way to turn, and was afraid of remaining on the spot, lest
the robbers should come back and revenge themselves upon him for the
disappointment they had undergone. In this distress, the first thought
that occurred was to make the best of his way to the town, and demand the
assistance of the civil magistrate towards the retrieval of what he had
lost; a design which he executed in such a manner, as justly entailed
upon him the imputation of lunacy.

While Timothy stood fronting the window, and answering the interrogations
of his master, he suddenly exclaimed, "Bodikins! there's Gilbert!" and
sprung into the street with incredible agility. There finding his
strayed companion brought back by one of the footmen who attended the
coach, he imprinted a kiss on his forehead; and, hanging about his neck,
with the tears in his eyes, hailed his retur