betook ourselves to rest, and the pedlar occupied the other,
though not before he had prayed a considerable time extempore, searched
into every corner of the room, and fastened the door on the inside with
a strong iron screw, which he carried about with him for that use.

I slept very sound till midnight when I was disturbed by a violent
motion of the bed, which shook under me with a continual tremor.
Alarmed at this phenomenon, I jogged my companion, whom, to my no small
amazement, I found drenched in sweat, and quaking through every limb; he
told me, with a low faltering voice, that we were undone; for there
was a bloody highwayman, loaded with pistols, in the next room; then,
bidding me make as little noise as possible, he directed me to a small
chink in the board partition through which I could see a thick-set
brawny fellow, with a fierce countenance, sitting at a table with our
young landlady, having a bottle of ale and a brace of pistols before
him.

I listened with great attention, and heard him say, in a terrible tone,
"D--n that son of a b--h, Smack the coachman; he has served me a fine
trick, indeed! but d--ion seize me, if I don't make him repent it! I'll
teach the scoundrel to give intelligence to others while he is under
articles with me."

Our landlady endeavoured to appease this exasperated robber, by saying
he might be mistaken in Smack, who perhaps kept no correspondence with
the other gentleman that robbed his coach; and that, if an accident
had disappointed him to-day, he might soon find opportunities enough to
atone for his lost trouble. "I'll tell thee what, my clear Bet," replied
he, "I never had, nor ever shall, while my name is Rifle, have such
a glorious booty as I missed to-day. Z--s! there was L400 in cash to
recruit men for the king's service, besides the jewels, watches, swords,
and money belonging to the passengers. Had it been my fortune to have
got clear off with so much treasure, I would have purchased a commission
in the army, and made you an officer's lady, you jade, I would." "Well,
well," cries Betty, "we must trust to Providence for that. But did
you find nothing worth taking which escaped the other gentlemen of the
road?" "Not much, faith," said the lover; "I gleaned a few things, such
as a pair of pops, silver mounted (here they are): I took them loaded
from the captain who had the charge of the money, together with a gold
watch which he had concealed in his breeches. I likewis