CHARLES CARRINGTON, ESQ. 103 



I'd give this ten-pund note to do it," slapping his 

 pocket. 



" It may be done, Slowman," replied the Captain 

 cautiously ; " in fact, I may say I have done it. 

 But you must back me up ; and, mind, never a 

 word." 



" I'm mum, sir. Mum as a gravestone." 



" Well, you see, Slowman, having found out what 

 they are coming for, I've a pill for them. You 

 draw the six-acre oak spinny first. Well, there 

 will be a drag from that over the stiffest country 

 to Bolton Mill. That's eight miles as the crow 

 flies. There, under the lee of a hedge, will be old 

 Towler with a fresh-caught fox from their own 

 country. As he hears the hounds coming up he 

 will let him loose. He's not one of your three- 

 legged ones, but a fresh one, caught only this after- 

 noon. I've seen him — such a trimmer ! He'll 

 lead them straight away for their own country. 

 And if the strangers, and old Spraggon, and 

 Jawleyford, and all the rest of them can see it 

 through, they are better men than I take them to 

 be. I shall have my second horse ready for me at 

 the mill. And so had you better. I'll take the 

 conceit out of the beggars." 



" By the living Harry ! "' exclaimed the hunts- 

 man, " a grand idea. I must draft Conqueror, 



