EXTORTION 215 



up. Some of 'em "would carry their bluut in their hats ; 

 and one night there was a fellow had got ninety pounds, 

 all notes, tied up in a roll ; and old Bob Chandler was 

 guard of the old Xight-coach, and give me the office, 

 when we pulled up together at the Hammer Ponds. 

 Goino- over Rodborouo-li, Bob contrived to knock the 

 fellow's hat off, when I got down and picked it up ; and 

 on our arrival at London old Bob and I went snacks. 

 There's no such times as them now." 



1 could but stare with indio-nation at this fellow's 

 villainy and shameless audacity. 



I add a further proof of the facility there was in 

 imposing on these simple-minded people. 



The Portsmouth Xio;ht- coaches chano;ed coachmen at 

 Godalming, in Surrey — the mail at ^lousehill, a village 

 two miles nearer Portsmouth ; consequently, there were 

 two of the fraternity every day at each place, with their 

 time totally unemployed. On one occasion the two from 

 Godalming walked over to Mousehill, as was their custom 

 in fine weather, to play a game of skittles with their 

 brethren, or otherwise amuse themselves. On their 

 reaching the " White Horse," they observed the day- 

 coach about to pull up. laden with sailors on the 

 outside. 



" ril bet you a beefsteak for the four," said one to 

 the other, " that I will draw one of these sailors of a 

 pound." 



" A done," said the other, who was a much younger 

 hand than his friend. 



The coach stopped, and the coachman dismounted and 

 went into the bar. 



