ii6 THE BATH ROAD 



Presently, however, one of the combatants opened 

 a clasp-knife, and made as though he would stab the 

 other. Seeing this, the quiet spectator rose and 

 seized the man's wrist in a powerful grip. But, 

 quick as thought, his own wrists were seized, and he 

 was thrown to the floor, both men clinging tightly to 

 him. When he at length managed to rise, both his 

 wrists were handcuffed. 



" Neatly manao;ed, that ! " exclaimed one of the 

 pretended rustics, throwing oft' his smock-frock and 

 disclosing the red waistcoat of a Bow Street Runner. 

 " You must acknowledge, Captain Ilawkes, as how 

 we've done you brown." 



They searched their captive, and found two loaded 

 pistols and a great variety of valuables about him. 

 Then they escorted him to a post-chaise, which was in 

 waiting ; and the same night saw him in Newgate. 



He made a quiet and composed end, like most of 

 his kind. They knew their risks, these dauntless 

 enemies of society, and acce^^ted death by strangula- 

 tion when it came with something of philosophy. 



XX 



And now for the plain, unvarnished narrative of 

 one who travelled these roads a century ago. 



When that simple-minded German, Pastor Moritz, 

 who visited Enoland towards the close of last 

 century, grew tired of London, he determined, he 

 says, to visit Derbyshire ; and, making the necessary 



