28 Hunting in the Golden Days. 



of the villains. Unfortunately, it flashed in the pan, 

 but quicker than thought he whipped out his pistols and 

 discharged them at the already terrified highwaymen 

 with good result, for it seems that one was so severely 

 wounded in the shoulder that he was unable to mount 

 his horse, and had to be assisted by his comrade. The 

 two villains then made good their escape, followed for 

 some distance by the military hero, who, however, was 

 unable to overtake them. Charley then returned and 

 gallantly handed the ladies into the coach, primed his 

 pistols, and mounted the roof to act as bodyguard over 

 them. The coach then proceeded on its journey and our 

 friends arrived home without any further adventure. 



Mr. Goodbery congratulates Betty on her fortunate 

 escape, and relates an adventure of a similar nature that 

 happened to him, but as far as he was personally con- 

 cerned, of a less fortunate character. He was returning 

 by coach across Hounslow Heath one dark winter's 

 night, when progress was put a stop to by a resolute 

 character, and though there were a goodly number of 

 passengers, they were unfortunately without a weapon 

 of any kind. The guard, perhaps being in league with 

 this scoundrel, was not provided with firearms. The 

 travellers were all turned out of the coach and told to 

 stand and deliver. One passenger shot a handful of 

 guineas into his boots, thinking thus to be able to 

 conceal his wealth, but the highwayman, scenting con- 

 cealment, demanded that he should pull them off, to 

 which the poor wretch was obliged to accede, although 

 with very bad grace. 



** Having about fifty guineas with me," says Mr. 

 Goodbery, " I handed them up without a murmur, as I 

 well knew that if I refused, I should lose both my 

 money and my life." 



