rate, and perceived the
squire fairly set in the stocks, surrounded by a mob of people. When he
called to him, and asked the reason of this disgraceful restraint,
Crabshaw replied, "There's no cake, but there's another of the same make
--who never climbed, never fell--after clouds comes clear weather. 'T is
all along of your honour, I've met with this preferment; no deservings of
my own, but the interest of my master. Sir Knight, if you will slay the
justice, hang the constable, release your squire, and burn the town, your
name will be famous in story; but, if you are content, I am thankful.
Two hours are soon spent in such good company; in the meantime, look to
'un, jailor, there's a frog in the stocks."

Sir Launcelot, incensed at this affront offered to his servant, advanced
to the prison door, but found it fast locked; and when he called to the
turnkey, he was given to understand, that he himself was prisoner.
Enraged at this intimation, he demanded at whose suit, and was answered
through the wicket, "At the suit of the King, in whose name I will hold
you fast, with God's assistance."

The knight's looks now began to lighten; he rolled his eyes around; and
snatching up an oaken bench, which three ordinary men could scarce have
lifted from the ground, he, in all likelihood, would have shattered the
door in pieces, had not he been restrained by the interposition of Mr.
Clarke, who entreated him to have a little patience, assuring him he
would suggest a plan that would avenge himself amply on the justice,
without any breach of the peace. "I say the justice," added Tom,
"because it must be his doing. He is a little petulant sort of a fellow,
ignorant of the law, guilty of numberless irregularities, and if properly
managed, may, for this here act of arbitrary power, be not only cast in a
swingeing sum, but even turned out of the commission with disgrace."

This was a very seasonable hint, in consequence of which the bench was
softly replaced, and Captain Crowe deposited the poker, with which he had
armed himself, to second the efforts of Sir Launcelot. They now, for the
first time, perceived that Ferret had disappeared; and, upon inquiry,
found that he was in fact the occasion of the knight's detention and the
squire's disgrace.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

DESCRIPTION OF A MODERN MAGISTRATE.

Before the knight would take any resolution for extricating himself from
his present embarrassment, he desired to be bett