Evening star., 1907-09-01


take me in the rear by climbing through the window
with his natural wea pom. And | cursed myself for
fool as lay there, struggling to get back to my
BY this | felt was bound with ropes and gives
and from what they talked twas plain they reck-
oned me dangerous
g" 'Tis for Justice Pearce," says Sure a
will settle 'un. will put 'un in the fear of God o."
But Justice Pearce, e be away to Frows Hill.
'Iis plain he be guilty. A has plaguey wicked
look, says third.
What be guilty Off" asked the first.
Ask John Duck, says the second
John Duck says he, what be thicky prisoner
guilty of"
"A be proved guilty of ofenses against the Kings
peace, says John Duck
"Ay, that be-. says the third watchman.
If be proved guilty, be we to hang 'un?" says
"A shall hang" says John Duck solemnly. a
shall hang as high as Robin Courts apples"
If we be goin to hang un, says another, =" It's
serious matter We nun wait for Justice Pearce
1 do say"
IT'S the law that is outraged, Neighbor Willis,
says John Duck. 'Tis the majesty of the law, and
we be here to protect and revenge un."
Put 'un in the pound, says the blacksmith
suddenly, and at that there uproar of agree
ment.
"Ay put 'un in the pound. 'Tis an easy way
Put 'un in the pound, SOS all can see 'un-the
wretch"
This course seemed to find favor in their Internal
eyes, and thus it came that was presently set up,
all corded up in pnchng knots, in the grass of the
pound over the edges of which the inhabitants of
that accursed village stared at This episode,
aware, does not rebound to my credit; but | set
it forth as it happened, mainly because of the ig-
norance that 1t displayed in the heads of those
empty bleating sheep, and because of what
to pass presently. But the end of my degradation
not reached yet; for comes next the Justice
Pearce, and peeps over the bars-a buxom fellow
of rublcund face, with his three cornered hat awry
on his dusty wig.
"Heigho! !! says he ficking his whip. "Yoicks
we ha got un for Duck man, look on him.
look his mask; it be like old Danny fox
chased yestermorn" and he broke out cackling in
a silly way. But | said never a word, for 1 was
puzzlng my wits
What be he charged With" says the justice
=" He be wayman on the roads zur, says Duck
=" "'Wayman, be he?" says the justice, and stared
"We'll have his brush he chuCkled. But, harkee,
Duck, It's no place for un. The stocks is the
place
Aye, the stocks" says one and another, the
while cursed under my breath at this fresh lndig
And to the stocks, sure enough, they hailed
me. But all the time | was cudgelng my wits, to
wonder how it that any report of me had come
thither. Twas a long way to Exeter where was the
last hue and cry after me, and | could not guess
how had been tracked SO far. The villagers looked
on while was fastened in the stocks by the church.
and twas then l opened my mouth, seeing that
some of the hinds had carrots in their hands and
preparing to fling them at me, is their rude
custom.
If you are a justice" 1 said in a loud voice, Il
demand to know why [ am thus used"
Did ye say he 'wayman, Duck?" says he.
'Tis for trespassing on the King peace says
the constable pompously
Sir" says l., would you execute first and give
trial afterwards"
and nodding his foolish head. We will have an
other sport after the trial, that we will.
Very we'll" says in lordly manner. MY
uncle His Lordship, will have much say to this
when he hears, and him standing well with His
Majesty"
And then I gave up; for twas no use at all to
knock sense into their wooden heads; and presently
after carrot or they drew off, debating among
themselves, for my last words seemed to have set