38 FOX HUNTING. 



him. In walked Fitzpatrick, who was unknown 

 to them, and, after Hstening to their bravado, he 

 strided to the bar, and ordering a glass of whiskey 

 for himself invited the others to join him, which 

 they were nothing loth to do. Drink followed 

 drink, and they continued their merriment to- 

 gether, until Fitz, tiring of the sport, edged him- 

 self out until he stood between the men and their 

 guns, and, drawing and cocking his pistols, boldly 

 announced who he was and dared them to capture 

 him. Finding they were completely cowed, he 

 coolly ordered them out into the road before him, 

 where, lining them up at a safe distance from his 

 and their horses, he mounted, and, bidding them 

 good day, rode off at a gallop. The landlord, pos- 

 sibly, had no ill feeling against Fitz; at least, he 

 did not show himself to be an enemy. 



Fitzpatrick had often boasted that he would 

 not be taken by mortal man; but a woman effected 

 his downfall, as the story goes, for Fitz was not 

 only fond of strong drink, but also had a weakness 

 for comely girls, and it came about in this wise: 

 On the north side of the old West Chester road, 

 near Castle Rock, was the farmhouse of a man 

 named McAfee, and which was on the farm now 

 known as the Taylor farm; at this house Hved 

 a buxom, stout, good-looking Irish girl, whom 

 Fitzpatrick knew and admired; so, one day, being 



