DOlVN THE ROAD IN DAYS OF YORI^ 59 



certainly had a rig-lit to say all the fine tilings 

 he could to recommend the service of his master, 

 but, having" done that, he had no more to do ; 

 and that any man had also a right to tell his 

 friends, whom he saw ready to he seduced into 

 bondage, that they Avere born free, and ought to 

 take care how tli(\v gave up their liberty — 

 together with remarks derogatory of the justice 

 of courts martial. 



Our author did not, however, find this military 

 hero a bloodthirsty man, for, by his own confes- 

 sion, he and a brother officer had a few months 

 before surrendered their purses to a highwayman 

 betAveen London and Highgate for fear of blood- 

 shed. This showed that some officers were abun- 

 dantly peaceable in time of danger, and discovered 

 no inclination for taking people's lives. This 

 gentleman of sword and pistol, in particular, had 

 a great many solid reasons Avhy men should not 

 adventure their lives for a little money. He said 

 there was no courage in fighting a highwayman, 

 and no honour to be had in the victory over one ; 

 that soldiers should preserve their lives for the 

 service of the country in case of war, and not run 

 the risk of losing them bv foolish adventure. 



These reasons did not altogether satisfy the 

 ladies, for one of them observed that robbers were 

 at war alike Avith laws and governments, and that 

 the King's servants Avere hired to keep the jieace 

 and to defend the King's subjects from violence ; 

 that officers in the army Avere as much obliged by 

 their office and character to fight robbers as they 



