Hu7iii'}ig in ihe Golden Days. 29 



Another passenger, an actor, who had some 

 money about him, luckily escaped with his hard- 

 earned money, by feigning to be a lunatic. He danced 

 about, and replied, " Nunkey pays for all " to the 

 highwayman's request for money. The highwayman, 

 not understanding this jargon, again ordered him 

 sternly to hand over all he had, but the only reply he 

 made was "Nunkey pays for all." A fellow actor, 

 falling in with the plot, at once came forward and 

 informed the highwayman that this man was his nephew, 

 and that he was unfortunately deprived of his reason, 

 and always kept on sa)?ing that his uncle paid for 

 everything, as he, poor fellow, was never entrusted 

 with any money. To keep the play up, the actor 

 continued to dance and reiterate " Nunkey pays for all, 

 Nunkey pays for all." The highwayman, not wishing 

 to waste time, and thinking it a genuine case, con- 

 tented himself by aiming a murderous blow at the 

 would-be lunatic, who, however, cleverly evaded it. 

 Thus the poor fellow, through his training, was 

 enabled to retain his savings. 



The flow of conversation continues ; it is wonderful 

 how tongues are loosened after the wine has been 

 circulated once or twice. Mr. Winebold, one of Good- 

 bery's oldest friends, is telling his neighbour, Mr. 

 Oldwig, how he thinks there must be a cock-fight on at 

 Bonham's to-morrow, as he saw a main of cocks 

 go down by the night mail, whose crowing in the 

 bags, together with the clatter of the coach, had been 

 almost deadening. 



"Talking about cock-fighting," said Sir John, 

 " reminds me of these spurs that hang over the fireplace. 

 They belonged to my father, and were used by Gameboy, 

 his celebrated bird that won him 1,000 guineas in a 



