The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-05
TIE HIGAWAYMEN IN BATH

away. Mauleverer fired, missing one of them by less than an inch He was about to discharge his second pistol when the third robber advanced calmly, presented a pistol at the peer, and warned him to de- sist
 His reply was a bullet, which grazed the highwayman S hair. Cursing his poor aim, Mauleverer drew his sword. Instant ly the highwayman, with astounding skill and strength, struck the weapon a dexter ious blow with his riding whip and dis armed him.
 Meantime the others had disa rrned the servants and tied them. Then they rified , the coach, while the peers late antagon- st stood in dignified inactivity, conversing courteously with the enraged nobleman. Just as the robbers reported to their cap tain that they had secured all of the rich booty, Lord Mauleverer sew his oppor- l tunity He sprang to his sword. snatched ] it from the ground and threw himself fu- l riously on the captain. The latter stepped l backward slowly, warding off the lunges contemptuousy with his whip, gained his
 saddle and galloped off
 The magnitude of the robbery aroused
 the county. A great reward was offered i for Captain Lovett's capture. The high
 wayman laughed at it, but success had made them overbold. The reward tempted
 traitor, and the three were surrounded l and attacked by London thief catchers
 whose chief was an adept, as he had been 1 A gentleman of the road himself in his , day.
 1 Lovett's two companions were captured
 He himself, after making a determined i fight to free his friends, succeeded in
 breaking through the circle of enemies i and made his escape.
 l The next day the two robbers. hand
 cuffed and fettered were jogging along
 the road in a post chaise, squeezed in be- 1 tween officers of the law, who interfered
 seriously, as one of the highwaymen said
 fretfully, with the beauty of the pros-
 pect.
 It was broad daylight. The officers,
 though they remained watchful, were far l from dreaming of danger. Suddenly d
 rider broke through the hedge. He
 hurled bludgeon like flash. and tho
 postillion toppled to the ground.
 Another man galloped up like the wind ! tore open the door of the chaise. seized i the chief of the officers by the collar,
 hurled him to the ground and helped the 1 prisoners out.
 The other officers leaped at the res- cuers Three more riders burst through i the hedge and attacked them. The high
 wayman who had helped the prisoners out ] pulled them swiftly through the hedge
 and hoisted them into cart. He pulled
 Captain Lovett.
 "Quick" said he to the driver. "OH i you go!''
 At this moment one of the robbers gave
 a cry of warning. A carriage was com i ing along the road. Instantly the men who were engaging the officers eaped to 1 their saddles and dashed away The of-
 ficers, tough and plucky fellows, at once |, jumped through the hedge. Lovett met 1 them and gave the cart it's chance to get
 away.
 i As soon as the light vehicle has disap- I peared in a wooded road Lovett leaped for his horse. He gained the saddle and
 set spurs to the animal. The next instant
 there was shot He fell forward with ! a bullet in his side. He endeavored to re-
 tain his seat. once he raised himself 1 while the horse sprank ahead Then he 1 fell helplessly to earth
 1 True to It's training the beautiful horse
 immediately stood stock still The high
 wayman drew his pistol and pointed it ! at the officer. Then he turned it away : placed it to the ear of his beloved steed
 and fired, saying: ''Yo shall never know 1 hardship from another" | few days later Maueverer entered i Brandons library hurrledly and said: q i have strange news for you. You remen,
 Der that fellow Clifford in Bath who had , the insoence to address himself to your ] niece? Well, my dear friend, the officers took the notorious Captain Lovett who I has had the honor of robbing me twice. And when I went to identify him I saw
 that he was no other than Captain Cliff
 ford"
 For my niece's sake we must keep this