SUMMER IN SOMERSET. 277 
are common. A well-to-do farmer who used to attend 
Bristol market, and dispose there of large quantities 
of stock and produce, dared not bring home the money 
himself lest he should be robbed. He entrusted the 
cash to his drover ; the farmer rode along the roads, the 
drover made short cuts on foot, and arrived safely with 
the money. This went on for years, in which time the 
honest fellow—a mere labourer—carried some thou- 
sands of pounds for his master, faithfully delivering every 
shilling. He had, however, a little failing—a dangerous 
one in those days, when the gallows was the punishment 
for sheep-stealing. He was known to be a sheep-stealer, 
and actually after bringing home ahundred pounds would 
go and put his neck in danger the very same night by 
taking asheep. This went on for some time, people 
shut their eyes, but at last patience was exhausted, and 
efforts were made to catch him in the act, without 
success. 
One night he came home in the usual manner from 
market, delivered the cash, and went to his cottage, 
Next day a little girl was sent on an innocent errand to 
the cottage, with orders while she was there to look 
sharply round and observe if there were any ashes on 
the floor. She came back with the news that there was 
a heap of woodashes. Immediately a posse set out, and 
the drover was arrested. The use of the ashes by sheep- 
stealers was to suck up and remove stains of blood, 
which were certain to be left in cutting up the animal. 
Sufficient proof was found in the cottage to condemn 
the honest thief to be hung; great exertions were, how- 
ever, made in his behalf ; and principally, it is supposed, 
on account of his character for carrying large sums of 
, money untouched, he was saved. There isa story of the 
smugglers—once notorious folk on these hills—teaching 
