STAGE-COACH ROBBERIES. 33 



Early in the present century a rider for a 

 mercantile house in the City of London was 

 attacked a few miles beyond Winchester, by 

 a highwayman, who, taking him by surprise, 

 robbed him of his purse and pocket-book, 

 containing cash and notes to a considerable 

 amount. 



" Sir," said the rider, with great presence 

 of mind, " I have suffered you to take my 

 property, and you are welcome to it. It is my 

 master's, and the loss of it cannot do him 

 much harm ; but, as it will look very cowardly 

 in me to have been robbed without makina; 

 any resistance, I should take it kindly 

 of you just to fire a pistol through my 

 coat." 



"With all my heart," replied the high- 

 wayman ; " where will you have the ball ?" 



"Here," said the rider, "just by the side 

 of the button." 



The highwayman was as good as his word, 

 but the moment he fired the rider knocked 

 him off his horse; and, having stunned him 

 with the blow, aided by a labourer who came 

 up at the time, lodged him safely in Winchester 

 Gaol. 



As late as the year 1814 stage-coach robberies 



D 



