The Shasta courier., 1867-09-14
COURIER
THE HIGHWAYMAN.

Early In the present century there dwelt a
man east from Grief. having local habita.
ton and name. The one we may call Moss
Ridges, while we shall designate the other
as the Roadman, name he often got, being
used by the natives sometimes as a prefix,
sometimes as an affix, to his surname, as
their fancy led them. This man held an ap
pointmeut under the Road Trustees as a
sort of inspector or overseer on that part OF
the kings highway reaching betwixt Grief
and Stirling, hence his familiar name of
The Roadman." He had been so often
along that two and-twenty miles that he
knew every inch of ground could have trav-
eled it blind folded. and, as he used to say
himself, he ken'd his every mile stane on
the road as weel's he ken'd his ain bairns."
One afternoon the roadman left Stirling
mounted on his pony, and was jogging
leisurely homewards, keeping a lookout for
wheel ruts and other highway evils. In
this manner he had gotshalf-way past the
frs of kinbuck, when the sound of hoofs
struck his ear. The roadman turned in the
saddle, and saw horseman coming on at a
smart trot; but, as there was nothing
unusual in that, he kept on the even tenor
of his way. In few minutes the new
conner, who happened to be an English
commercial traveller, was alongside, saluting
the roadman with the usual frank " good
evening" of his countrymen. "Guid cen,
SIR" responded the roadman. "Going far
tlis way?" asked the commercial. "Ou,
ave." replied the roadman, "I've a guide
wheen miles to ride afore get hame"-
81 Then you won't object to our riding in
company" observed the EngIshman. 30,
name in the least" replied the roadman &;
" aye like companion on the road, espe-
ciallv a respectable man like yersel'. u
Then he continued-" That's guild baste We
haze" To that opinion the traveller raised
no objection. From the horse the roadman's s
attention was directed to the rider, and by
and by he had wormed history of the
travellers business affairs from him, EXTEND
ing even to the amount of money in his pos
session. Darkness had closed in as the
travellers pulled up to get a glass at Ardoch.
This locality being historically suggestive,
there was confab of Agricola and the
Roman legions and having discussed the
Senate and people of Rome the conversation
somehow ran out. After riding a little
while in silence. the Englishman remarked
II stay in Robertson's Inn in Grief all
night. Do you stay there?" "Weel,"
said the roadman, "I'll maybe gang there
and ybe no, just as I'll TAX the notion"
I" Then you don't always stay in the same
place." asked the Englishman. No
exactly" replied the roadman, "but Pm
maist aye to be gotten on the road" May
| ask, then, what is your profession ?" in
quired the traveller and, knowing some
thing of the Scottish character, he expected
a display of caution and circumlocution on
the roadman's part before answering so di
rect question, but he was mistaken. The
answer came promptly and with startling
distinctness but whether it was that the
roadman intended to mystify the traveller or
merely to give his calling high sounding
name, is uncertain. At any rate, his answer
was Deed, sir, I'm just highwayman."
90, the devil you are p was the ejaculation
of the Englishman, as, striking his spurs
into his steed, he shot along the road like an
arrow. Seeing that his companion had
bolted, the roadman set his pony to gallop,
and set off in pursuit. The traveller, being
the best mounted of the two. was getting
ahead, but not so far but he could see the
pertinacious highwayman keeping up the
chase and, as it seemed a matter of life and
property with the Englishman, he kept his
horse at full speed: so on they went-the
traveller before, the roadman behind
Away away and on they dash
Torrents less rapid and less rash.
Fields and farm steadings one after another
were passed in a twinkling- the Bishops
Brig was cleared in an instant, and in a few
minutes more the traveller was tearing
through Muthill at terrible velocity and
while windows were flung up and heads
protruding in every direction, and people
asking whats up" the clatter of other
hoofs was heard, and on came the roadman.
" Oh, that's the roadman," exclaimed an
original, "bas yon man been stealing his
miles stones when he's chasing him at that
rate" But ere the villagers conjectures
were ended the riders were careering past
the gate of Drummond. Now the highway
traveller found that he was still on his track !;
for, pulling up a minute ct Bennybeg to
listen, the sound of the pursuer's gallop fell
every instant clearer and clearer on his ear.
Once more his horse was urged to its utmost
speed Some of the Grief lights, too, were
coming into sight, and could he but reach
Robertson's he was safe. Clearing the old
brig in a few seconds, he passed up the
Gallow Ha like lightning g, leaving the aston
ished natives to wonder '' if he was riding
for a DOCTOR" At last he drew up at
Robertson's door. and dismounting from his
foam covered steed threw the bride to one of
the men, aud making his way to the CONNER
cial room ordered a glass Of brandy. After
gulphing it down, and wiping his brow, he
commenced forthwith to astonish his auditory
with relation of his adventures with the
highwayman but before he had finished
his relations the door was opened. when 10 !
the highwaymau walked in. By Jove,"
exclaimed the Englishman, in the middle of
his story, that's the very man ~ " Yes,
freend. but We beat me-" said our friend
"Well, that's COOL" said the traveller, g
beat you. Well for me l did, but will you
tell those gentlemen what you told me on the
road ?" What did tell you?" asked the
roadman. g Why, did you not tell me that
YOU were highwayman ?" " Deed,
freend," chuckled the roadman, :" the maist
o. them kens that weel eneuch without ony
bodie telling them" And now an explana.
ton, followed by much fun, was made, and