BOULTER AND PARTNER 223 



enlisting, a course then left open to criminals by 

 the Government, which did not tend to bring the 

 Army into better repute. After three days in 

 barracks he deserted, and made the best of his way 

 southwards. Reaching Bristol, he found a fellow- 

 spirit in one James Caldwell, landlord of the ' Ship 

 Inn,' Milk Street, and with him entered upon a new 

 series of robberies. But, first of all, he paid a visit 

 to his relatives at Poulshot, doing some business on 

 the way, and scouring the country round about that 

 convenient retreat. He stopped the diligence again 

 at ' Winterslow Hut,' emptying the pockets of all the 

 passengers, and robbed a Salisbury gentleman near 

 Andover, who, after surrendering his purse, lamented 

 that he had nothing left to carry him home. 



' How far have you to go home ? ' asked Boulter. 



' To Salisbury,' said the traveller. 



' Then,' rejoined the highwayman, ' here's two- 

 pence, which is quite enough for so short a journey.' 



Boulter, according to his biographers, had the 

 light hair and complexion of the Saxon. ' His 

 bonhomie, not untinctured with a quiet humour, 

 fascinated and disarmed his victims, who felt that, 

 had he been so disposed, he could have descended upon 

 them like the hammer of Tlior.' Hi^ companion 

 henceforward, Caldwell, was of a dark complexion 

 and ferocious disposition. Together they visited the 

 Midlands in 1777, and with varying success brought 

 that season to a close. Boulter returning alone to 

 Poulshot for a short holiday from professional cares. 

 Riding on the Plain early one morning, he was 

 surprised to meet a gentlemanly -looking horseman, 



