Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-04-24

hae something IN this bag that wadna ike
to lose, for iva reasops-baith because of
its value, and because it was intrusted to my
care
What have you got, pray, that you seem
so anxious to preserved can't conceive that
anything of great value can be intrusted to your
care. Why would not give crown piece,
nor half oft, for the whole equipage.'
That's just the very thing, You see am
not what | appear to be. Ihae ta'en this dress
and this anld slovenly poney, for the purpose of
avoiding suspicion in these precarious places
1 have behind me bag full of gold-.you may
hear by the jingling of the pieces when strike
here with my hand. Now, am trusted with
all this treasure, to convey it to certain no.
bleman's residence in the south and, say
again, that l am glad that have met gentle
man, to conduct me safely through the for
est
At this, the robber was highly amused, and
could scarcely believe that simplicity So ex-
treme, and bordering on insanity, could exist ;
and yet there was an archness in the old man s
look and a witness in his manner, that hardly
comported with his external appearance. He
said he had gold-he affirmed that he was
not exactly what he appeared to be-not so
poor as his tattered garments would indicate,
and withal trustworthy, having so large sum
of money committed to his care. 1t might be
there was not word of truth in his story; he
might be some cunning adventurer from the
border, plying a certain vocation on his own ac-
count, not altogether of a reputable cast but,
whatever the cast might be, the silly old man
was completely in his power, and, if he had gold
in his possession, ii must be seized on, and no
time was TO be lost.
/ tell you,' said the highwayman, wheeling
his horse suddenly round in front of Willes
pony, | will tell you old man, that am that
same robber of whom you seem to be afraid,
and now | demand an instant surrender of your
gold
Hoot, toot, exclaimed Willie, 'gae wa, gae
wa! you robber you are an honest man, and
you only want to joke me-
Il tell you distinctly that I'm the robber, and
hold you in my power
'And l say as distinctly persisted Willie,
that you are true man. That face of yours
is not robbers face-theres nae bit O.
robber about ye, and sac We maun cen guard
me through the wood, and gle me the word o
leel-hearted Englishman that yell nae see
ony i'll come over me-
No humbug! vociferated the highwayman
in real earnest; dismount. and deliver me that
bag Immediately, else | will make riddle of
your brainless skull in trice.'
Willie saw that it was in vain to parley, for
the hiehwayman had his hand on the pommel
of his pistol and an unscupulous act would Law
him dead at his feet. Now was the time for
the wary Scot to put his plan in execution
All things had happened as he wished, and he
hoped the rest would follow.
'Weel, weel,' said Willie, since it maun
be, ii maun be. | shall dismount, and deliver
you the treasure, for life is sweet-sweeter far
than even gold to the mser wanted to act
an honest part, but, as we say on the north side
of the border, might makes right and sac as
| said, ii e'en maun be-
Willie then, with some apparent difficulty,
as an old, stiff-lmbed man, lifted himself from
the pony, and stood staggering on the ground.
Now said he, laying his hand heavily on
the money-bag, / have request or two to
make, and all is yours. When | return to
Scotland, must have some marks about my
person to show that have been really robbed,
and that have not purloined the gold to my
own purposes. l will place my bonnet here
on the side of the road, and you will shoot
ball through it; and then, there is this old
cloak-you must send another ball through
here, SO that can show when | return, what a
fray have been in, and how narrowly have
escaped
To this the robber consented, and, having
alighted from his steed, made two decided per-
forations in the way he was desired This
was with Willie a great point gained, for the
robbers pistols were now empty, and restored
to their place.
i have yet another request, said Willie,
and then the matter will be completed. You
must permit me to cut the straps that tie the
bag to the saddle, and to throw it over this
hedge, and then go and lift it yourself, that
may be able to swear that in the struggle | did
what could to conceal the money, and that
you discovered the place where | had hid it,
and then seized it; and thus will stand ac
quilted in all points,
10 this also the highwayman consented
Willie accordingly threw the heavy bag over
the hedge, and obsequious!y offered to hold the
robbers high spirited steed till he should re-
turn with the treasure. The bandit, suspect
ing nothing on the part of the dwelling old
man, readily committed his horse to his care,
while he eagerly made his way through the
hedge to secure the prize. In the meantime,
however, Willie was no less agile; for, having
thrown off his ragged and cumbersome cloak.
ne vaulted upon the steed of the highwayman
with as much GOODNESS as if he had been at his
own door. When the robber had pushed his
way back through the hedge, dragging the bag
with HIM, he was confounded by seeing his sad
die occupied by the simpletun whose gold he
had SO easily come by. But he was no longer
a simpleton no longer wayfaring man in
oeggars s weeds-but tall, stout man, ar:ayed
In decent garb, and prepared to dispute his
part with the best.
What, ho! scoundrel! do you intend to run