154 Memoir of Tom Smith, 



cheque dated a few days forward. As he 

 wanted to be back at Hungerford as soon as 

 possible, he determined to ride the horse part 

 of the way home, his groom being to come on 

 by coach, and take charge of it the next day. 

 He had ridden nearly to Staines, when he fell 

 in with a mob of London roughs, who had 

 come out to see a prize-fight, and having been 

 baulked by the magistrates, were ripe for any 

 kind of mischief. Two of these fellows were 

 in a gig, whipping and galloping like mad; 

 and when they came near him, though he had 

 drawn up on the side of the road, they pulled 

 the reins and attempted wantonly to drive 

 over him. To save his leg, he struck at the 

 horse's head to turn it away; but the blow 

 caught one of the vagabonds on the nose, 

 and covered his face with blood. They were 

 in the act of jumping out to seize him, when 

 he put spurs to his horse and galloped off. 

 The whole rabble rout, horse, foot, and drags 

 of every description, gave chase ; and it looked 



