THOMAS RUMBOLD.
Rumbold was the son of honest and industrious parents, who lived at Ipswich, in Suffolk. In his youth he was apprenticed to a bricklayer; but evil inclinations gaining an ascendancy over his mind, he quitted his employment before a third part of his time was expired. In order to support himself after having absconded, and conceiving a great desire to see London, he repaired thither, and soon confederated himself with a gang of robbers. In conjunction with these he shared in many daring exploits; but wishing to try his skill and fortune alone, he left them, and repaired to the road.
He travelled from London with the intention of waylaying the archbishop of Canterbury. Having got sight of the party between Rochester and Sittingbourne in Kent, he got into a field, and placing a tablecloth on the grass, on which he placed several handfuls of gold and silver, took a box and dice out of his pocket, andcommenced a game at hazard by himself. His grace observing him in this situation, sent a servant to inquire the meaning; who upon coming near Rumbold, heard him swearing and rioting about his losses, but never paid the least attention to his questions. The servant returned and informed the prelate, who alighted, and seeing none but Rumbold, asked him whom he was playing with. “Pray, sir,” said Rumbold, “be silent—five hundred pounds lost in a jiffey!” His grace was about to speak again—“Ay,” continued Rumbold, continuing to play on, “there goes a hundred more!” “Pr’ythee,” said the archbishop, “do tell me whom you play with.” Rumbold replied, “With ——,” naming some one who perhaps never had existence. “And how will you send the money to him?” “By his ambassadors,” quoth Rumbold; “and, considering your grace as one of them extraordinary, I shall beg the favor of you to carry it to him.” He accordingly rose and rode up to the carriage, and, placing in the seat about six hundred pounds, rode off. He proceeded on the road he knew the archbishop had to travel, and both, having refreshed at Sittingbourne, again took the road, Rumbold preceding the bishop by a little distance. He waited at a convenient place, and again seared himself on the grass in the same manner as before, only having very little money on the cloth. The bishop again observed him, and now believing him really to be a mad gamester, walked up to him, and just as his grace was going to accost him, Rumbold cried out with great seeming joy, “Six hundred pounds!” “What!” said the archbishop, “losing again?” “No, by G—!” replied Rumbold, “won six hundred pounds! I’ll play this hand out, and then leave off while I’m well.” “And of whom have you won them?” said his grace. “Of the same person that I left the six hundred pounds for with you before dinner.” “And how will you get your winnings?” “Of his ambassador, to be sure,” said Rumbold; so, presenting his pistol and drawn sword, he rode up to the carriage, and took from the seat his own money,and fourteen hundred pounds besides, with which he got clear off.
With part of this money Rumbold bought himself an eligible situation; but still he could not give up his propensity of appropriating to himself the purses of others. For many miles round London he had the waiters and chambermaids of the inns enlisted into his service; and though, to appearance, in an honest way of gaining a livelihood, he continued his nefarious courses to a great extent. He was not, indeed, always successful; but, having once been apprized of two rich travellers being at an inn where one of his assistants was, he left London immediately, and waited on the road which he had been informed the travellers were to take: long, however, he might have waited, for the travellers were too cunning, and pretended to be travelling to the place which they had last left. Determined, however, not to return without doing some business, he waited on the road: the earl of Oxford, attended by a single footman, soon appeared, and, being known to his lordship, he disguised himself by throwing his long hair over his face, and holding it with his teeth. In this clumsy mask he rode up, demanded his lordship’s purse, and threatened to shoot both the servant and him if they made the least resistance. Expostulations were vain, and he proceeded to rifle the earl, in whose coat and waistcoat he found nothing but dice and cards, and was much enraged, till, feeling the other pockets, he discovered a nest of goldfinches,[2]with which he was mightily pleased, and said he would take them home and cage them: recommending his lordship to return to his regiment and attend to his duty, giving him a shilling as an encouragement.
As Rumbold was riding along the road, he met a country girl with a milkpail on her head, with whose beauty and symmetry of shape he was greatly taken. Having entered into conversation, Rumbold alighted, and, excusing himself for the freedom, sat beside her while she milked her cows. Pleased with each other’scompany, they made an assignation the same evening: our adventurer was to come to her father’s house at a late hour, and, pretending to have lost his road, solicit a night’s lodging. The plan was accordingly followed out: but they were disappointed in each other’s society that evening, for some one of the family kept astir all night. Determined, however, not to leave his fair convert, he pretended in the morning to be taken dangerously ill, and the good farmer rode off immediately for medical assistance. All the power of surgery, however, could not discover his ailment. The farmer kindly insisted upon his remaining where he was until he should recover, to which he, with great professions of gratitude, assented. Completely overpowered by such generosity, Rumbold wished to make some apparent return; and, borrowing a name, told him he was a bachelor of property in a certain county; that he had hitherto remained secure against the attacks of beauty, but that he now was vanquished by the attractions of his daughter, and hoped, if the girl had no objection, that a proposal of marriage would not be unacceptable to the family. The farmer, in his turn, overcome by such a mark of condescension, expressed himself highly gratified by the proposal; and, upon communicating it to the family, all were agreeable, and none more so than the girl. The idea of adding gentility to the fortune which the farmer intended for his daughter, quite elated him, and made him extremely anxious to gain the favor of the suitor. Rumbold followed out the design, and his endearments with the daughter were thus more frequent than he expected. His principal design was to sift the girl as to the quantity of money her father had in the house, and where it lay; but he was chagrined when informed that there were only a few pounds; for that, a few days before they met, her father had made a great purchase, which took all his ready money. Seeing, now, that there was no chance of gleaning the father’s harvest, he resolved to leave the family, and, accordingly, one evening took hismarch incognito, leaving the girl a present of twenty pieces of gold, inclosed in a copy of verses.
He proceeded on the road, and met with no person worthy his notice until the following day, when a singular occurrence happened to him. Passing by a small coppice between two hills, a gentleman, as he supposed, darted out upon him, and commanded him to stand and deliver. Rumbold requested him to have patience, and he would surrender all his property; when, putting his hand in his pocket, he drew a pistol, and fired at his opponent without the shot taking effect. “If you are for sport,” cried the other, “you shall have it!” and instantly shot him slightly in the thigh; and at the same moment drawing his sword, he cut Rumbold’s reins at one blow; thus rendering him unable to manage his horse. Rumbold fired his remaining pistol, and again missed his adversary, but shot his horse dead. Thus dismounted, the gentleman made a thrust at him with his sword, which, missing Rumbold, penetrated his horse, and brought them once more upon an equal footing. After hard fighting on both sides, our adventurer threw his adversary, bound him hand and foot, and proceeded to his more immediate object of rifling. Upon opening his coat he was amazed to discover that he had been fighting with a woman. Raising her up in his arms, he exclaimed, “Pardon me, most courageous Amazon, for thus rudely dealing with you: it was nothing but ignorance that caused this error; for, could my dim-sighted soul have distinguished what you were, the great love and respect I bear your sex would have deterred me from contending with you: but I esteem this ignorance of mine as the greatest happiness, since knowledge, in this case, might have deprived me of the opportunity of knowing there could be so much valor in a woman. For your sake, I shall forever retain a very high esteem for the worst of females.” The Amazon replied, that this was neither a place nor opportunity for eloquent speeches, but that, if he felt no reluctance, she would conduct him to a more appropriate place; to which he readily assented.They entered a dark wood, and, following the winding of several obscure passages, arrived at a house upon which, apparently, the sun had not been accustomed to shine. A number of servants appeared, and bustled about their lady, whose disguise was familiar to them; but they were astonished to see her return on foot, attended by a stranger.
Being conducted into an elegant apartment, and having been refreshed by whatever the house afforded, they became very familiar, and Rumbold pressed his companion to relate her history, which, with great frankness, she did in the following words:—
“I cannot, sir, deny your request, since we seem to have formed a friendship which, I hope, will turn out to our mutual advantage. I am the daughter of a sword-cutler: in my youth my mother would have taught me to handle a needle, but my martial spirit gainsaid all persuasions to that purpose. I never could bear to be among the utensils of the kitchen, but was constantly in my father’s shop, and took wonderful delight in handling the warlike instruments he made; to take a sharp and well-mounted sword in my hand, and brandish it, was my chief recreation. Being about twelve years of age, I studied by every means possible how I might form an acquaintance with a fencing-master. Time brought my desires to an accomplishment; for such a person came into my father’s shop to have a blade furbished, and it so happened that there was none to answer him but myself. Having given him the satisfaction he desired, though he did not expect it from me, among other questions I asked him if he was not a professor of the noble science of self-defence, which I was pretty sure of from his postures, looks, and expressions. He answered in the affirmative, and I informed him I was glad of the opportunity, and begged him to conceal my intention, while I requested he would instruct me in the art of fencing. At first, he seemed amazed at my proposal; but, perceiving I was resolved in good earnest, he granted my request, and appointed a time which he could convenientlyallot to that purpose. In a short time I became so expert at buck-sword and single rapier, that I no longer required his assistance, and my parents never once discovered this transaction.
“I shall waive what exploits I did by the help of my disguise, and only tell you that, when I reached the age of fifteen, an innkeeper married me, and carried me into the country. For two years we lived peaceably and comfortably together; but at length the violent and imperious temper of my husband called my natural humor into action. Once a week we seldom missed a combat, which generally proved very sharp, especially on the head of the poor innkeeper; the gaping wounds of our discontent were not easily salved, and they in a manner became incurable. I was not much inclined to love him, because he was a man of a mean and dastardly spirit. Being likewise stinted in cash, my life grew altogether comfortless, and I looked on my condition as insupportable, and, as a means of mitigating my troubles, I was compelled to adopt the resolution of borrowing a purse occasionally. I judged this resolution safe enough, if I were not detected in the very act; for who could suspect me to be a robber, wearing abroad man’s apparel, but at home a dress suitable to my sex? Besides, no one could procure better information, or had more frequent opportunities than myself: for, keeping an inn, who could ascertain what booty their guests carried with them better than their landlady?
“As you can vouch, sir, I knew myself not to be destitute of courage; what, then, could hinder me from entering on such enterprises? Having thus resolved, I soon provided myself with the necessary habiliments for my scheme, carried it into immediate execution, and continued with great success, never having failed till now. Instead of riding to market, or travelling five or six miles about some piece of business, (the usual pretences with which I blinded my husband,) I would, when out of sight, take the road to the house in which we now are, where I metamorphosed myself, and proceededto the road in search of prey. Not long since, my husband had one hundred pounds due to him about twenty miles from home, and appointed a certain day for receiving it. Glad I was to hear of this, and instantly resolved to be revenged on him for all the injuries and churlish outrages he had committed against me; I knew very well the way he went, and understood the time he intended to return. I waylaid him, and had not to wait above three hours, when my lord and master made his appearance, whistling with joy at his heavy purse. I soon made him change the tune to a more doleful ditty in lamentation of his bad fortune. I permitted him to pass, but soon overtook him, and keeping close by him for a mile or two, at length found the coast clear, and, riding up and seizing his bridle, presented a pistol to his breast, and in a hoarse voice demanded his purse, else he was a dead man. This imperious don, seeing death before his face, had nearly saved me the trouble by dying without compulsion; and so terrified did he appear, that he looked more like an apparition than any thing human. ‘Sirrah!’ said I, ‘be expeditious;’ but a dead palsy had so seized every part of him, that his eyes were incapable of directing his hands to his pockets. I soon recalled his spirits by two or three sharp blows with the flat of my sword, which speedily wakened him, and, with great trembling and submission, he resigned his money. After I had dismounted him, I cut his horse’s reins and saddle-girths, beat him most soundly, and dismissed him, saying: ‘Now, you rogue, I am even with you; have a care, the next time you strike a woman, (your wife, I mean,) for none but such as dare not fight a man, will lift up his hand against the weaker vessel. Now you see what it is to provoke them, for, if once irritated, they are restless till they accomplish their revenge to their satisfaction: I have a good mind to end your wicked courses with your life, inhuman varlet, but I am loth to be hanged for nothing, I mean for such a worthless fellow as you are. Farewell! this money shall serve me to purchase wine to drink a toast to the confusion of all such rascallyand mean-spirited things!’ I then left him, and—”
This extraordinary character was about to proceed with the narration of her exploits, when the servant announced the arrival of two gentlemen. Our heroine left the room, and returning with her friends, apologized to our adventurer for the interruption, but hoped he would not find the company of her companions disagreeable, whom he soon discovered to be likewise females in disguise. The conversation now became general, and, upon condition of Rumbold stopping all night with them, the Amazon promised to finish her adventures next day. This accorded with the wishes of Rumbold; and when they retired to rest, he found the same room was destined for them all. His curiosity was, however, overcome by his covetousness; for, rising early next morning, and finding all his companions asleep, he rifled their pockets of a considerable quantity of gold, and decamped with great expedition, thus disappointing the reader in the continuation of a narrative almost incredible from its singularity.
Our adventurer had frequently observed a goldsmith in Lombard street counting large bags of gold, and he became very desirous to have a share of the glittering hoard. He made several unsuccessful attempts; but having in his possession many rings, which he had procured in the way of his profession, he dressed himself in the habit of a countryman, attended by a servant, and going to the goldsmith’s shop, proposed to sell one of these rings. The goldsmith, perceiving it to be a diamond of considerable value, and from the appearance of Rumbold supposing he was ignorant of its real worth, after examining it, with some hesitation estimated its value at ten pounds. To convince the countryman that this was its full value, he showed him a diamond ring very superior in quality, which he would sell him for twenty pounds. Rumbold took the goldsmith’s ring to compare with his own, and, fully acquainted with its value, informed him that he had come to sell, but that it was a matter of small importanceto him whether he purchased or sold. He accordingly pulled out a purse of gold, and laid down the twenty pounds for the ring. The goldsmith stormed and raged, crying that he had cheated him, and insisted on having back his ring. Rumbold, however, kept hold of his bargain, and replied, that the other had offered him the ring for twenty pounds; that he had a witness to his bargain; there was his money, and he hoped that he would give him a proper exchange for his gold.
The goldsmith’s indignation increasing at the prospect of parting with his ring, he carried the matter before a justice. Being plaintiff, he began his tale by informing the magistrate, that “the countryman had taken a diamond ring from him worth a hundred pounds, and would give him but twenty pounds for it.” “Have a care,” replied Rumbold, “for if you charge me with taking a ring from you, which is, in other words, stealing, I shall vex you more than I have yet done.” He then told the magistrate the whole story, and produced his servant as a witness to the bargain. The goldsmith now became infuriated, exclaiming, that “he believed the country gentleman and his servant were both impostors and cheats!” Rumbold replied, that “he would do well to take care not to make his cause worse; that he was a gentleman of three hundred pounds per annum; and that, being desirous to sell a ring at its just price to the goldsmith, the latter endeavored to cheat him, by estimating it far below its value.” The magistrate, accordingly, decided in favor of our adventurer, only appointing him to pay the twenty pounds in gold, without any change.
The gold of Lombard street still continuing to attract the attention of Rumbold, he with longing eyes one day traversed that street, attended by a boy whom he had trained in his service. The boy ran into a shop where they were counting a bag of gold, seized a handful, then let it all fall upon the counter, and ran off. The servants pursued, seized the boy, and charged him with having some of the money. Rumbold approached tothe assistance of the boy, insisting that the youth had not stolen a farthing of their money, and that the goldsmith should suffer for his audacity. The goldsmith and Rumbold came to high words, and mutual volleys of imprecations were exchanged. The latter then inquired what sum he charged the boy with having stolen. The goldsmith replied, that he did not know, but that the bag originally contained a hundred pounds.
Upon this, Rumbold insisted that he would wait until he saw the money counted. He tarried about half an hour, and the money was found complete. The goldsmith made an apology to Rumbold for the mistake; but the latter replied, that, as a gentleman, no one should put upon him such an affront with impunity. After some strong expressions on both sides, Rumbold took his leave, assuring his antagonist that he should hear from him. The goldsmith was arrested the day following, in an action of defamation. The bailiff who arrested him, being bribed by our adventurer, advised him to compromise the matter; urging, that the gentleman he had injured was a person of quality, and if he persisted in the action, it would expose him to severe damages. With some difficulty the matter was settled, by the goldsmith giving Rumbold twenty pounds in damages.
A jeweller in Foster lane next supplied the extravagances of Rumbold. He had often disposed of articles for that jeweller, who had full confidence in Rumbold’s fidelity. One day, having observed in his shop a very rich jewel, he acquainted the jeweller that he could sell it for him. Happy at such information, he delivered it to Rumbold, who carried it to another jeweller to have a false one, exactly similar, prepared. He then embraced an opportunity to leave the counterfeit jewel with the jeweller’s wife, in his absence. Shortly afterwards, he met the jeweller in the street, who said he never expected to have been so used by him, and threatened to bring the matter under the cognizance of a judge; but Rumbold retreated to a remote part of the city.
Rumbold was one day travelling in the vicinity of Hackney, when his attention was directed towards a house, which he earnestly desired to possess. He approached the house, knocked at the door, and inquired if the landlord was at home. He soon appeared; when Rumbold politely informed him, that, having been highly pleased with the appearance of his house, he was resolved to have one built after the same model, and requested the favor of being permitted to send a tradesman to take its exact dimensions. This favor was readily granted; when our adventurer went to a carpenter, and informed him that he wished him to go along with him to Hackney to measure a house, in order that he might have one built on a similar construction. They accordingly went, and found the gentleman at home, who kindly entertained Rumbold, while the carpenter took the dimensions of every part of the house.
The carpenter, being amply rewarded, was dismissed, and, by the aid of the draught of the house taken by him, Rumbold drew up a lease, with a very great penalty in case of failure to fulfil the agreement. Being provided with witnesses to the deed, he went and demanded possession. The gentleman was surprised, and only smiled at the absurdity of the demand. Rumbold commenced a lawsuit for possession of the house, and his witnesses swore to the validity of the deed. The carpenter’s evidence was also produced, many other circumstances were mentioned to corroborate the fact, and a verdict was obtained in favor of Rumbold’s claim. But the gentleman deemed it proper to pay the penalty rather than to lose his house.
Rumbold, disguised in the apparel of a person of quality, one day waited on a scrivener, and acquainted him that he had immediate occasion for a hundred pounds, which he hoped he would be able to raise for him upon good security. The scrivener inquired who were the securities, and Rumbold named two respectable citizens, whom he knew to be at that time in the country; which satisfying the money-lender, he desired our adventurer to call next day. In the meantime, the lender made inquiry after the stability of the securities, and found he had not been imposed upon as to their respectability. Our adventurer again waited upon the scrivener, who having agreed to advance the sum, Rumbold sent for two of his accomplices, who personated his securities, and, after a little preliminary caution, signed the bond for him under their assumed names; and, upon Rumbold’s receiving the money, they immediately took their leave. The name which Rumbold assumed on this occasion was of further service to him; for it happened to be that of a gentleman in Surrey, whom he met with, after this adventure, at an inn. Having learned what time the gentleman intended to remain in town, and the name and situation of his estate, he determined to render his chance meeting of service to him. He accordingly again waited on the same scrivener, and informed him he had occasion for another hundred, but did not wish to trouble any of his friends to become security for such a trifle; for that, as he possessed a good estate, it might be advanced upon his own bond; and that if the scrivener could spare a servant to ride the length of Surrey, he would then learn the extent of his estate, and be enabled to remove any scruple whatever. A servant was accordingly sent, and directed to go and make inquiry after the property of the stranger whom Rumbold had met at the inn. Returning in a few days, Rumbold found the scrivener very condescending, and prodigal of congratulations upon the possession of so pleasant and valuable a property, and said he would not have scrupled though the loan had been for a thousand. Rumbold, finding him thus inclined, doubled the sum, and, after giving his own bond for two hundred pounds, left the scrivener to seek redress as he best could.
Rumbold thus supported himself by exercising his ingenuity at the expense of others, and by this means amassed a considerable sum of money. He was not so addicted to these bad habits but that he felt an inclination to retire from scenes so fraught with dangerand infamy. For this purpose he placed his money in the hands of a private banker, with a design of living frugally and comfortably upon the interest. This banker unfortunately failed, and made off with all Rumbold’s property; so that he was once more reduced to the necessity of having recourse to his old employment.
The first exploit recorded of Rumbold after his reappearance in public, is the following:—He stopped at a tavern, where he called for a flagon of beer, which was handed him in a silver cup, as was customary at that time. Being in a private room and alone, he called to the landlord to partake of his noggin, and they continued together for some time, until the landlord had occasion to leave him. Soon after, he went to the bar and paid for his beer, while the waiter at the same time went for the cup: missing which, he called Rumbold back and asked him for the cup. “Cup!” said Rumbold, “I left it in the room.” A careful search was made, but to no effect; the cup could not be found, and the landlord openly accused Rumbold of the theft. He willingly permitted his person to be searched, which proved equally unsuccessful; but the landlord still persisted in maintaining that Rumbold must have it, or, at all events, that he was chargeable with the loss, and would have the matter investigated by a justice, before whom they immediately went. The landlord stated the case, while Rumbold complained loudly of the injury done him by the suspicion; and from his never endeavoring to run off when he was called back, and submitting so readily to be searched, the justice dismissed him, and fined the landlord for his rashness.
During their visit to the justice, some of Rumbold’s associates entered the same inn, where, according to arrangement, they found the cup fixed under the table with soft wax, and made off with it without the least suspicion.
The last recorded adventure of Rumbold was one which is now very common in the metropolis. Havingobserved a countryman pretty flush of money, he and his accomplices followed him; but, from Hodge’s attention to his pocket, they failed in several attempts to pick it. Our practitioners, however, taking a convenient opportunity and place, one of them went before and dropped a letter, while another kept close by the countryman, and upon seeing it cried out, “See, what is here?” But, although the countryman stooped to take it up, our adventurer was too nimble for him; and having it in his hand, observed, “Here is somewhat else besides a letter.” “I cry halves,” said the countryman. “Well,” said Rumbold, “you stooped, indeed, as well as I; but I have it. However, I will be fair with you; let us see what it is, and whether it is worth dividing;” and thereupon broke open the letter, in which was enclosed a chain or necklace of gold. “Good fortune,” said Rumbold, “if this be real gold.” “How shall we know that?” replied the countryman; “let us see what the letter says;” which ran as follows:—
“Brother John,“I have here sent you back this necklace of gold you have sent me, not from any dislike I have to it, but my wife is covetous, and would have a bigger. This comes not to above seven pounds, and she would have one of ten pounds; therefore, pray get it changed for one of that price, and send it by the bearer to your loving brother,Jacob Thornton.”
“Brother John,
“I have here sent you back this necklace of gold you have sent me, not from any dislike I have to it, but my wife is covetous, and would have a bigger. This comes not to above seven pounds, and she would have one of ten pounds; therefore, pray get it changed for one of that price, and send it by the bearer to your loving brother,
Jacob Thornton.”
“Nay, then we have good luck,” observed the cheat. “But I hope,” said he to the countryman, “you will not expect a full share, for, you know, I found it; and, besides, if one should divide it, I know not how to break it in pieces without injuring it; therefore, I had rather have my share in money.” “Well,” said the countryman, “I will give you your share in money, provided we divide equally.” “That you shall,” said Rumbold, “and therefore I must have three pounds ten shillings, the price in all being, as you see, sevenpounds.” “Ay,” said the countryman, thinking to be cunning with our adventurer, “it may be worth seven pounds in money, fashion and all: we must, however, not value that, but only the gold; therefore I think three pounds in money are better than half the chain, and so much I’ll give, if you’ll let me have it.” “Well, I’m contented,” said Rumbold: “but then you shall give me a pint of wine, over and above.” To this the other agreed, and to a tavern they went, where the bargain was ratified. There Rumbold and the countryman quickly disposed of two bottles of wine. In the mean time one of Rumbold’s companions entered the inn, inquiring for a certain person who was not there. Rumbold informed the stranger (as he pretended to be) that he would be there presently, as he had seen him in the street, and requested him to come in and wait for him. Upon this the stranger sat down to wait the arrival of his friend. In a little time Rumbold proposed to remove into a larger apartment, where they commenced playing at cards, to amuse themselves until the gentleman expected should arrive.
Rumbold and his associate began their amusement, the countryman being a stranger to the game. After he had continued a spectator of the good fortune of our adventurer, who in general vanquished the stranger, the countryman was at length prevailed upon to run halves with the fortunate gamester. For a while the same good fortune smiled upon them, and the stranger, in a rage at his great losses, refused to proceed. But after a few bottles more were emptied, the long-expected gentleman never appearing, they renewed their amusement; and fortune deserting Rumbold and the countryman who seconded him, in a short time the latter found himself without a shilling.
The landlord was then called to assist in drinking the money gained, and, being informed how they had cheated the countryman, was resolved to exert his ingenuity at their expense. Meanwhile, several associates of Rumbold, who had been respectively employed in similar adventures, entered the room, joined in theirconversation, and participated in their wine. The landlord was at last requested to bring supper, which was done with great alacrity. The bottle continuing to move with considerable rapidity, the company were in general intoxicated before they sat down to supper. When it was brought in, however, they commenced with great avidity, and soon despatched a shoulder of mutton and two capons; and, under the influence of wine, all fell asleep with the dishes before them.
The landlord embraced this favorable moment of silence to collect all the bones and remnants of the whole day’s provisions, and divided them upon the plates which were upon the table. In a short time, one of them losing his balance, embraced the floor, and, by the noise of the fall, awoke the rest of the drowsy company, who all renewed their attacks upon the victuals. “How came these bones here?” cried one of them; “I do not remember that I ate any such victuals.” “Nor I,” said another; upon which the landlord was called and interrogated. “Why, surely, gentlemen, you have forgot yourselves,” said he; “you have slept sound and fair indeed! I believe you will forget the collar of brawn you had too, that cost me six shillings out of my pocket.” “How, brawn!” said one. “Ay, brawn,” answered the landlord; “you had it, and shall pay for it: you’ll remember nothing presently. This is a fine drunken bout, indeed!” “So it is,” said one of the company; “surely, we have been in a dream: but it signifies nothing, my landlord, you must and shall be paid. Give us another dozen bottles, and bring us the bill, that we may pay the reckoning we have run up.” This order was obeyed, and a bill presented, amounting to seven pounds, and every man was called upon to pay his share. The countryman shrunk back, wishing to escape; but one of them pulled him forward, saying, “Come, let us tell noses, and every man pay alike.” The countryman desired to be excused, and said his money was all exhausted; they therefore agreed that he should be exempted.
In the morning, the countryman, in order to procure money to carry him home, resolved to sell the chain in his possession: he accordingly went to a goldsmith, but, to his additional mortification, was informed that instead of gold, it was nothing but brass gilded over. He acquainted the goldsmith with the whole matter, who went along with him to a justice to obtain a warrant for the apprehension of Rumbold and his associates; but before their arrival, the worthy knights of the pistol had prudently decamped with their spoils.
Rumbold after this adventure had several narrow escapes; but, continuing his nefarious courses, he was at length detected, tried, condemned, and executed at Tyburn in the year 1689.
FOOTNOTES:[2]Guineas.
[2]Guineas.
[2]Guineas.