ths,
which the justice did not fail to number. "Before we proceed to other
matters," said Mr. Elmy, "I order you to pay forty shillings for the
oaths you have sworn, otherwise I will cause you to be set in the stocks
without further ceremony."

Prickle, throwing down a couple of guineas, with two execrations more to
make up the sum, declared that he could afford to pay for swearing as
well as e'er a justice in the county, and repeated his challenge of the
wager, which our adventurer now accepted, protesting, at the same time,
that it was not a step taken from any motive of pride, but entirely with
a view to punish an insolent plebeian, who could not otherwise be
chastised without a breach of the peace. Twenty guineas being deposited
on each side in the hands of Mr. Elmy, Prickle, with equal confidence and
despatch, produced a canvas bag, containing two hundred and seventy
pounds, which, being spread upon the table, made a very formidable show,
that dazzled the eyes of the beholders, and induced many of them to
believe he had ensured his conquest.

Our adventurer, asking if he had anything further to offer, and being
answered in the negative, drew forth, with great deliberation, a
pocket-book, in which there was a considerable parcel of bank-notes,
from which he selected three of one hundred pounds each, and exhibited
them upon the table, to the astonishment of all present. Prickle, mad
with his overthrow and loss, said, it might be necessary to make him
prove the notes were honestly come by; and Sir Launcelot started up, in
order to take vengeance upon him for this insult, but was withheld by the
arms and remonstrances of Mr. Elmy, who assured him that Prickle desired
nothing so much as another broken head, to lay the foundation of a new
prosecution.

The knight, calmed by this interposition, turned to the audience, saying,
with the most affable deportment, "Good people, do not imagine that I
intend to pocket the spoils of such a contemptible rascal. I shall beg
the favour of this worthy gentleman to take up these twenty guineas, and
distribute them as he shall think proper among the poor of the parish;
but, by this benefaction, I do not hold myself acquitted for the share I
had in the bruises some of you have received in this unlucky fray, and
therefore I give the other twenty guineas to be divided among the
sufferers, to each according to the damage he or she shall appear to have
sustained; and I shall consider