Bs5beton Smitb 87 



pointed out, the man knocked at the door for some 

 time. At last it was opened by his wife. ' Does the 

 man live here who fought the gentleman by the bank ? ' 

 inquired the servant, ' He did live here, if he is still 

 alive,' replied the poor woman, ' after the terrible beating 

 he got yesterday.' Groans were heard from a bed on 

 which the man was lying, having the fear of an arrest for 

 striking a gentleman before his eyes. ' Mr Smith has sent 

 me to give you this five-pound note, and to tell you that 

 you are the best man that ever stood before him.' ' God 

 bless his honour ! ' exclaimed the fellow, jumping up from 

 the bed, for he was more frightened than hurt, and being 

 greatly relieved by this unexpected and fortunate turn 

 of events. ' Thank him a thousand times. I dearly 

 arned the money, for his blows are like the kick of a 

 horse ; but tell him for all that, to show my gratitude, I 

 will fight him again any day for love.' This anecdote 

 speaks well for both. It turned out on inquiry that this 

 man was the champion of the surrounding country and 

 the terror of the neighbourhood. Therefore we may 

 hope that the bruising he met with from a gentleman 

 whom, doubtless, before the mill he held very cheap, did 

 him good. 



Many years afterwards, when Mr Smith was upwards 

 of seventy years of age, he evinced the same daring 

 spirit. A rough country fellow threw a stone at one of 

 his hounds, for which the squire struck at him with his 

 hunting whip. ' You dared not strike me if you were off 

 your horse,' said the clodhopper. In a moment the squire 

 had dismounted, and had raised his hands in artistic 

 attitude, upon which the cowardly rascal fairly took to 

 his heels and fled, amidst the jeers and ridicule of his 

 companions. This scene occurred at Chapmansford, 



