THE SMUGGLER. 1 37 



north, and then away by Singleton Green, towards Four-Elms, 

 where, just under the hill, we came upon those two men who 

 have just been convicted, and two others, who got off. We 

 captured these two, and three horse-loads they had with them, 

 for their beasts were tired, and they had lagged behind. There 

 were two or three chests of tea, and a good many other things, 

 and all of them were marked, just like honest bales of goods, 

 44 Richard Radford, Esquire, Junior." As we found, however, 

 that the great party was on before, we pursued them as far as 

 Rouse-end, where we overtook them all ; but there they scat- 

 tered, some galloping off towards Gouldwell, as if they were 

 going to the Ramleys: some towards Usher-house, and some 

 by the wood towards Etchden. Four or five of the dragoons 

 pushed after those running for Gouldwell, and I and the rest 

 stuck to the main body, which went away towards the wood, 

 and who showed fight. There was a good deal of firing amongst 

 the trees, but not much damage done, except to my horse, 

 who was shot in the shoulder. But just as we were chasing 

 them out of the wood, up came Mr. Richard Radford, who was 

 seen for a minute speaking to one of the men who were run- 

 ning, and riding along beside him for some way. He then turned, 

 and came up to us, and tried to stop us as we were galloping 

 after them, asking what the devil we were about, and giving 

 us a great deal of bad language. I didn't mind him, but rode 

 on, knowing we could take him at any time ; but Mr. Birchett, 

 the other chief officer, who had captured the major a minute 

 or two before, got angry, and caught him by the collar, 

 charging him to surrender, when he instantly drew his sword, 

 and threatened to run him through. One of the dragoons, 

 however, knocked it out of his hand, and then he was taken. 

 This affray in the middle of the road enabled the greater part 

 of the rest to get off; and we only captured two more horses 

 and one man." 



Several of the other officers, and the dragoons, corroborated 

 Mowle's testimony; and the magistrates, but especially Sir 

 Robert Croyland, began to look exceedingly grave. Mr. Rad- 

 ford, however, only laughed, turning to his son, and asking, 

 " Well, Dick, what have you to say to all this?" 



Richard Radford, however, merely tossed up his head, and 

 threw back his shoulders, without reply, till Sir Robert Croy- 

 land addressed him, saying, " I hope, Mr. Radford, you can 



