Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-04-03
on THE KINGS HIGHWAY.

st had become great scandal how
the kings highway from Londor
to Cambridge was no longer safe
Many We're the gentlemen of quality
that did pass that way. and fine ladies
together with many students Of the
university going to and fro.
And of late not week had passed
but that it was spoken abroad how q
coach or rider had been stopped upon
the road. and to the great loss in gold
and articles of value Of those who had
been waylaid.
AS rumor had it, it was one man
who did these acts of outrage. and II
was wonder to all that one man
could thus work his will and ne'er be
harmed.
Thereupon was public proclama-
ton made in the city of London. which
did offer to him who should capture
the body of this man, dead or alive, II
reward of a hundred pounds.
Now. there was one, Dave Black
shaw, an idle and riotous journeyman,
an armorer by trade, who heard some
of these things; and being more fitted
for idle adventure than honest labor,
he did bethink him what a fine thing
1t would be for him to catch this willy
outlaw and put a fat hundred pounds
In his purse for his pains.
SO betimes Dave Blackshaw did fill
his purse with the whcrewithal to fit
him cut suitably, and he did besides
learn many things about this man.
which he did put together in his own
mind, to his special use and guidance.
SO when his certain preparations had
been made there did appear at one of
the inns in London town. where there
was much traffic from Cambridge way,
young gallant of very fair speech and
surface, well clothed and of such APP
pearance as no one would have be.
lievcd it was Dave Blackshaw.
On he rode past Ware, where he tar
ried over night, and even to Fucker
bridge, which Is near Cambridge-all
without harm or mOlestatioI. But this
was as David had expected. and he
rode straight to the Blue Cock Inn in
l.,
promising himself Il gallant adventure
on the morrow.
Out to the door of the Blue Cock
there came the landlOrd-an i'll favored
looking varlet. if ever there were such,
but ready enough with smirks and
smiles and promises of good cheer.
Right royalty did David sup that
night, discoursng the while with this
same landlord, who was not aback in
making some inquiry as to what his
guest might be doing in these parts and
what his condition. To which David
answered. rs if to conceal his real con-
dition, yet by other ways to let II be
known that he was not lacking where
with Ia purchase the best when he had
a mind.
Then betmes to his chamber, where
he WAS fit to sleep WELL but that he had
u dream that the landlord did saddle
horse and ride away with all haste at
midnight.
But. be this as it may. he of the Blue
Cock was in his place when day broke
and greeted Dave right cheerfully.
Sir" said he. there is gentleman
come last night. when you were abed.
would fain know you and travel in
your company as far as Cambridge"
Il like that not" said Dave. MY
thoughts are bent to serious matters
which must needs ponder deeply, and
the fellow would be but irksome."
But look you. sir it would be but a
mercy, which such a gallant gentle
man could well afford to give your
company to this fellow. as you we'll
say. from this to Cambridge"
''Wherefore. mercy"
''He is but timid and coward per-
son. methinks. and fears to brave the
way alone. because that report saith
something of robber in these parts
who doth infest the road"
"A robber!" Quoth Dave. You give
me cheerful news. Know you aught of
this report?"
I'm good truth. 1t doth not lie," re.
piled the landlord. There was such
an one who did dip into full purses for
while. to the great despoil of trade
hereby; but since the hue and cry Is
out. he hath not been seen. and has
gone. methinks. to some other place."
"Then why this towards fear? Has,
thou not told him that the man is
gomez"
AYE. that l did, many times. But
he would not be Quieted Of his trouble