be Parson
Bower, of Martock, who asked him if he knew Bampfylde Moore Carew? Sir,
replied he, I am of Tintagel, in Cornwall, and know the Carews there very
well, and have heard of the wanderer you speak of, who, I'm told, is a
great dog stealer, but know not what has become of him; for some say he
is hanged. God forbid he is hanged, cried the parson, upon account of
his family; and after some other questions, he was relieved with
sixpence. Leaving Montacute, he went forward to Yeovil, having appointed
to meet his wife and daughter at the sign of the Boot, Sherborne, and
from Yeovil to Squire Hellier's, at Leweston, who treated him very
handsomely, and would have had him stay there all night, but he excused
himself, being impatient to see his wife and daughter.

As soon as he came to Sherborne, he went to his usual quarters, the sign
of the Boot, where he inquired for his wife and daughter; but how was he
thunder-struck, when he was told they were in hold, at Webb's the
bailiff! He inquired for what reason, and was informed, that four
officers had been walking all through the town to take up all strangers,
such as chimney-sweepers, tinkers, pedlars, and the like. What could our
hero do? he revolved it over and over in his mind, and at last determined
to go to Webb's, resolving either to free his wife and daughter, or else
to share their fate. When he came there, he asked to see the prisoners,
and demanded upon what account they had apprehended his wife, as she had
neither stolen nor begged in the town: this occasioned high words, and at
last ended in blows. Long did our hero maintain an unequal fight with
great valour. At length, being overpowered with numbers, he fell, but
not till his assailants had felt the force of his arms. He was kept in
safe custody that night, and the next morning taken, with the rest of the
prisoners, before Thomas Medlycott, Esq., at Milbourn Port, where they
were all examined, and all maintained their professions to be extremely
useful. The chimney-sweeper alleged, he preserved houses from taking
fire, whereby he saved whole towns, and consequently was a useful member
to his country. The tinker harangued on the usefulness of kettles, brass
pans, frying-pans, &c., and of consequence, what use he was of to the
public: and our hero declared he was the famous Bampfylde Moore Carew,
and had served his king and country both by sea and land.

The justice thought proper to send these usefu