oubled
his head much on the matter. But while the horses were putting to, he
summoned the postboys to him; and after regarding their countenances
with the eye of a man accustomed to read physiognomies, he thus
eloquently addressed them,--

"Gentlemen, I am informed that there is some danger of being robbed
between this town and Salthill. Now, I beg to inform you that I think it
next to impossible for four horses, properly directed, to be stopped
by less than four men. To that number I shall probably yield; to a less
number I shall most assuredly give nothing but bullets. You understand
me?"

The post-boys grinned, touched their hats; and Mauleverer slowly
continued,--

"If, therefore,--mark me!--one, two, or three men stop your horses, and
I find that the use of your whips and spurs are ineffectual in
releasing the animals from the hold of the robbers, I intend with these
pistols--you observe them!---to shoot at the gentlemen who detain you;
but as, though I am generally a dead shot, my eyesight wavers a little
in the dark, I think it very possible that I may have the misfortune to
shoot you, gentlemen, instead of the robbers! You see the rascals will
be close by you, sufficiently so to put you in jeopardy, unless indeed
you knock them down with the but-end of your whips. I merely mention
this, that you may be prepared. Should such a mistake occur, you need
not be uneasy beforehand, for I will take every possible care of your
widows; should it not, and should we reach Salthill in safety, I intend
to testify my sense of the excellence of your driving by a present
of ten guineas apiece! Gentlemen, I have done with you. I give you my
honour that I am serious in what I have said to you. Do me the favour to
mount."

Mauleverer then called his favourite servant, who sat in the dickey in
front (rumble-tumbles not being then in use). "Smoothson," said he, "the
last time we were attacked on this very road, you behaved damnably. See
that you do better this time, or it may be the worse for you. You have
pistols to-night about you, eh? Well, that's right! And you are sure
they're loaded? Very well! Now, then, if we are stopped, don't lose a
moment. Jump down, and fire one of your pistols at the first robber.
Keep the other for a sure aim. One shot is to intimidate, the second to
slay. You comprehend? My pistols are in excellent order, I suppose. Lend
me the ramrod. So, so! No trick this time!"

"They would kill a fly, my lor