boys:

"Now, when I give the word, you heave for your lives. Stand, you
beast! Cannot four of you hold him by the legs? I will be giving the
word in a moment. Are you all ready? Well, now, ready again--heave!"

There was a short scuffle in the darkness, and presently Paddy
appeared above the heads of the others in the _melee_.

"There, now," said he to them, "that was well done. One would easily
be telling that I was an ex-trooper of the king." He rode out to us
complacently. "'Tis a good horse, if only he steered with a tiller
instead of these straps," he remarked, "and he goes well before the
wind."

"To Bristol," said I. "Paddy, you must follow as best you may. I have
no time to be watching you, although you are interesting."

An unhappy cry came from behind Bottles, and I spurred on, but again I
could not wait for my faithful countryman. My papers were still the
stake for which I played. However I hoped that Paddy would now give
over his ideas about catching little black men.

As we neared Bristol Jem Bottles once more became backward. He
referred to the seven ballads, and feared that the unexpected presence
of such a well-known character would create an excitement which would
not be easy to cool. So we made a rendezvous under another tree, and I
rode on alone. Thus I was separated from both my good companions.
However, before parting, I took occasion to borrow five guineas from
Jem's store.

I was as weary as a dog, although I had never been told that gentlemen
riding amid such adventures were ever aweary. At the inn in Bristol a
sleepy boy took my horse, and a sleepy landlord aroused himself as he
recognized me.

"My poor inn is at your disposal, sir," he cried as he bowed. "The
Earl has inquired for you to-day, or yesterday, as well as my young
Lord Strepp and Colonel Royale."

"Aye?" said I carelessly. "Did they so? Show me to a chamber. I am
much enwearied. I would seek a good bed and a sound sleep, for I have
ridden far and done much since last I had repose."

"Yes, sir," said the landlord deferentially.

After a long hard sleep I was aroused by a constant pounding on my
door. At my cry a servant entered. He was very abject. "His lordship's
valet has been waiting to give you a message from his lordship, sir."
I bid him let the valet enter. The man whose heroic nose had borne the
brunt of Forister's swift departure from the inn when I kicked him
came into my chamber with distinguished grace and di