THE SNITCH COPERS. 27 



if by magic, and travel both far and fast along the most 

 unfrequented roads, and, if possible, avoiding the towns, 

 villages, or toll-gates, by which they may be traced to 

 their destination, wherever that may be ; but it is very 

 rare that this class of coper has any settled dwelling 

 place, his own parish being generally too warm for his 

 health. 



In the year 1856 I was riding along a bye-lane in 

 the vicinity of Warrington on a fair day, when I over- 

 took two of these snitch copers. I knew them to be- 

 long to this class, and I could tell by their anxious 

 looks that a snitch had been sold. After chaffing with 

 them a few minutes, a rattle of a vehicle was heard 

 behind us, and approaching at a rapid rate. 



"What's that coming ?" said one. 



"A phaeton with three gentlemen," was the answer. 



" Gentlemen be d d ! they're bobbies" (policemen), 

 exclaimed the one who asked the question, as they both 

 instantly topped the hedge. 



The vehicle stopped, and two policemen alighted, and 

 jumping the hedge, gave chase. The race was a very 

 exciting one, but as they neared the banks of the Mer- 

 sey, their determined pursuers gradually drew upon 

 them, and they were finally captured and brought back 

 and placed in the phaeton ; but the affair was hushed 

 up by their returning the money to the victim (who 

 was in the phaeton), by some means, before they arrived 

 at the police office. And this is, in most instances, the 

 case, the victims preferring their money back to the 



