DICK TURPIN. . 265 



though," said King; "I'll be at hand in case of 

 necessity." 



"Pooh, pooh! never fear ; d'ye think I'll sloven 

 it ? Show me the rattler,* so that I may know it 

 when I see it again, and I'll undertake to catalogue 

 its contents." 



Matters were soon arranged, and King then rode 

 forward to the inn at which the younq- nobleman was 

 expected. He soon after arrived. Being personally 

 acquainted with Tom from a town introduction — he 

 was on his way to his country seat — he was rejoiced 

 at this unexpected rencontre with a pleasant fellow. 

 Wine was liberally ordered, and a merry hour and 

 a half was passed, while Dick spent the interval in 

 making the necessary arrangements for the success 

 of their exploit. 



The sun set, and up rose the moon that was to 

 witness so much mischief. "The devil's in that moon," 

 Lord C. would have thought had he known what 

 was to befall him in the next hour. 



After some hearty shakes of the hand, and an 

 appointment to meet in London at a future day, 

 Tom King bade good-bye to his aristocratic bottle 

 companion. 



The night was beautiful. The broad, bright 

 summer moon silvered the foliage of the massive and 

 majestic timber which clothed both vale and upland 

 thereabout ; there was scarcely enough motion in 

 the air to shake the leaves on the trees that bor- 

 dered the high-road. It was just the night for the 

 nightingale to pour forth its song from the coppice 

 undisturbed. 



The rattle of Lord C.'s coach- wheels resounded 

 on the still night air. His attendants consisted of 



* Carriage. 



