ThomasBillingswasinhabitingthesamecounty，notcaredforbyeitherofthem；butordainedbyFatetojointhemoneday，andhaveamightyinfluenceuponthefortunesofboth。For，asithasoftenhappenedtothetravellerintheYorkortheExetercoachtofallsnuglyasleepinhiscorner，andonawakingsuddenlytofindhimselfsixtyorseventymilesfromtheplacewhereSomnusfirstvisitedhim：as，wesay，althoughyousitstill，Time，poorwretch，keepsperpetuallyrunningon，andsomustrundayandnight，withneverapauseorahaltoffiveminutestogetadrink，untilhisdyingday；
letthereaderimaginethatsinceheleftMrs。Hayesandalltheotherworthypersonagesofthishistory，inthelastchapter，sevenyearshavespedaway；duringwhich，allourheroesandheroineshavebeenaccomplishingtheirdestinies。
Sevenyearsofcountrycarpentering，orrathertrading，onthepartofahusband，ofceaselessscolding，violence，anddiscontentonthepartofawife，arenotpleasanttodescribe：soweshallomitaltogetheranyaccountoftheearlymarriedlifeofMr。andMrs。
JohnHayes。The\"NewgateCalendar\"（towhichexcellentcompilationweandtheOTHERpopularnovelistsofthedaycanneverbesufficientlygrateful）statesthatHayeslefthishousethreeorfourtimesduringthisperiod，and，urgedbytherestlesshumoursofhiswife，triedseveralprofessions：returning，however，ashegrewwearyofeach，tohiswifeandhispaternalhome。Afteracertaintimehisparentsdied，andbytheirdemisehesucceededtoasmallproperty，andthecarpenteringbusiness，whichheforsometimefollowed。
What，then，inthemeanwhile，hadbecomeofCaptainWood，orBrock，andEnsignMacshane？——theonlypersonsnowtobeaccountedforinourcatalogue。ForaboutsixmonthsaftertheircaptureandreleaseofMr。Hayes，thosenoblegentlemenhadfollowed，withmuchprudenceandsuccess，thattradewhichthecelebratedandpoliteDuval，theingeniousSheppard，thedauntlessTurpin，andindeedmanyotherheroesofourmostpopularnovels，hadpursued，——orwerepursuing，intheirtime。AndsoconsiderableweresaidtobeCaptainWood’sgains，thatreportswereabroadofhishavingsomewhereaburiedtreasure；towhichhemighthaveaddedmore，hadnotFatesuddenlycutshorthiscareerasaprig。HeandtheEnsignwere——shametosay——transportedforstealingthreepewter—potsoffarailingatExeter；andnotbeingknowninthetown，whichtheyhadonlyreachedthatmorning，theyweredetainedbynofurthercharges，butsimplycondemnedonthisone。Forthismisdemeanour，HerMajesty’sGovernmentvindictivelysentthemforsevenyearsbeyondthesea；
and，asthefashionthenwas，soldtheuseoftheirbodiestoVirginianplantersduringthatspaceoftime。Itisthus，alas！
thatthestrongarealwaysusedtodealwiththeweak，andmanyanhonestfellowhasbeenledtoruehisunfortunatedifferencewiththelaw。
Thus，then，wehavesettledallscores。TheCountisinHollandwithhiswife；Mrs。CatinWarwickshirealongwithherexcellenthusband；MasterThomasBillingswithhisadoptiveparentsinthesamecounty；andthetwomilitarygentlemenwatchingtheprogressandcultivationofthetobaccoandcottonplantintheNewWorld。
Allthesethingshavingpassedbetweentheacts，dingaring—a—dingaring—a—dingledingleding，thedropdrawsup，andthenextactbegins。Bytheway，theplayENDSwithadrop：butthatisneitherherenorthere。
***
（Here，asinatheatre，theorchestraissupposedtoplaysomethingmelodious。Thepeoplegetup，shakethemselves，yawn，andsettledownintheirseatsagain。\"Porter，ale，ginger—beer，cider，\"comesround，squeezingthroughthelegsofthegentlemeninthepit。
Nobodytakesanything，asusual；andlo！thecurtainrisesagain。
\"Sh，’shsh，’shshshhh！Hatsoff！\"sayseverybody。）
***
Mrs。HayeshadnowbeenforsixyearstheadoredwifeofMr。Hayes，andnooffspringhadarisentoblesstheirlovesandperpetuatetheirname。Shehadobtainedacompletemasteryoverherlordandmaster；andhavinghad，asfaraswasinthatgentleman’spower，everysinglewishgratifiedthatshecoulddemand，inthewayofdress，treatstoCoventryandBirmingham，drink，andwhatnot——for，thoughahardman，JohnHayeshadlearnedtospendhismoneyprettyfreelyonhimselfandher——havinghadallherwishesgratified，itwasnaturalthatsheshouldbegintofindoutsomemore；andthenextwhimshehituponwastoberestoredtoherchild。Itmaybeaswelltostatethatshehadneverinformedherhusbandoftheexistenceofthatphenomenon，althoughhewasawareofhiswife’sformerconnectionwiththeCount，——Mrs。Hayes，intheirmatrimonialquarrels，invariablytauntinghimwithaccountsofherformersplendourandhappiness，andwithhisownmeannessoftasteincondescendingtotakeupwithhisExcellency’sleavings。
Shedetermined，then（butasyethadnotconfidedherdeterminationtoherhusband），shewouldhaveherboy；althoughinhersevenyears’residencewithintwentymilesofhimshehadneveroncethoughtofseeinghim：andthekindreaderknowsthatwhenhisexcellentladydeterminesonathing——ashawl，oranopera—box，oranewcarriage，ortwenty—foursinging—lessonsfromTamburini，oranightatthe\"EagleTavern，\"CityRoad，orarideina’bustoRichmondandteaandbrandy—and—waterat\"RoseCottageHotel\"——thereader，highorlow，knowsthatwhenMrs。Readerdesiresathinghaveitshewill；youmayjustaswelltalkofavoidingherasofavoidinggout，bills，orgreyhairs——andthat，youknow，isimpossible。I，formypart，havehadallthree——ay，andawifetoo。
Isaythatwhenawomanisresolvedonathing，happenitwill；ifhusbandsrefuse，Fatewillinterfere（flecteresinequeo，etc。；butquotationsareodious）。AndsomehiddenpowerwasworkinginthecaseofMrs。Hayes，and，foritsownawfulpurposes，lendingheritsaid。
Whohasnotfelthowheworks——thedreadfulconqueringSpiritofIll？Whocannotsee，inthecircleofhisownsociety，thefatedandforedoomedtowoeandevil？Somecallthedoctrineofdestinyadarkcreed；but，forme，Iwouldfaintryandthinkitaconsolatoryone。Itisbetter，withallone’ssinsuponone’shead，todeemoneselfinthehandsofFate，thantothink——withourfiercepassionsandweakrepentances；withourresolvessoloud，sovain，soludicrously，despicablyweakandfrail；withourdim，wavering，wretchedconceitsaboutvirtue，andourirresistiblepropensitytowrong，——thatwearetheworkersofourfuturesorroworhappiness。
Ifwedependonourstrength，whatisitagainstmightycircumstance？Ifwelooktoourselves，whathopehavewe？Lookbackatthewholeofyourlife，andseehowFatehasmasteredyouandit。Thinkofyourdisappointmentsandyoursuccesses。HasYOUR
strivinginfluencedoneortheother？Afitofindigestionputsitselfbetweenyouandhonoursandreputation；anappleplopsonyournoseandmakesyouaworld’swonderandglory；afitofpovertymakesarascalofyou，whowere，andarestill，anhonestman；
clubs，trumps，orsixluckymainsatdice，makeanhonestmanforlifeofyou，whoeverwere，willbe，andarearascal。Whosendstheillness？whocausestheappletofall？whodeprivesyouofyourworldlygoods？orwhoshufflesthecards，andbringstrumps，honour，virtue，andprosperitybackagain？Youcallitchance；ay，andsoitischancethatwhenthefloorgivesway，andtheropestretchestight，thepoorwretchbeforeSt。Sepulchre’sclockdies。Onlywithus，clear—sightedmortalsasweare，wecan’tSEEtheropebywhichwehang，andknownotwhenorhowthedropmayfall。
Butrevenonsanosmoutons：letusreturntothatsweetlambMasterThomas，andthemilk—whiteeweMrs。Cat。Sevenyearshadpassedaway，andshebegantothinkthatsheshouldverymuchliketoseeherchildoncemore。Itwaswrittenthatsheshould；andyoushallhearhow，soonafter，withoutanygreatexertionsofhers，backhecametoher。
InthemonthofJuly，intheyear1715，therecamedownaroadabouttenmilesfromthecityofWorcester，twogentlemen；notmounted，Templar—like，upononehorse，buthavingahorsebetweenthem——asorrybay，withasorrysaddle，andalargepackbehindit；onwhicheachbyturntookaride。Ofthetwo，onewasamanofexcessivestature，withredhair，averyprominentnose，andafadedmilitarydress；whiletheother，anoldweather—beaten，sober—lookingpersonage，worethecostumeofacivilian——bothmananddressappearingtohavereachedtheautumnal，orseedystate。However，thepairseemed，inspiteoftheirapparentpoverty，tobepassablymerry。Theoldgentlemanrodethehorse；andhad，inthecourseoftheirjourney，riddenhimtwomilesatleastineverythree。Thetallonewalkedwithimmensestridesbyhisside；andseemed，indeed，asifhecouldhavequicklyoutstrippedthefour—footedanimal，hadhechosentoexerthisspeed，orhadnotaffectionforhiscomraderetainedhimathisstirrup。
Ashorttimepreviouslythehorsehadcastashoe；andthisthetallmanonfoothadgatheredup，andwasholdinginhishand：ithavingbeenvotedthatthefirstblacksmithtowhoseshoptheyshouldcomeshouldbecalledupontofititagainuponthebayhorse。
\"Doyouremimberthiscounthry，Meejor？\"saidthetallman，whowaslookingabouthimverymuchpleased，andsuckingaflower。\"Ithinkthimgreencornfieldsisprettierlookingatthanthed—————tobackyoutyondther，andbadlacktoit！\"
\"Irecollecttheplacerightwell，andsomequeerpranksweplayedheresevenyearsagone，\"respondedthegentlemanaddressedasMajor。
\"Yourememberthatmanandhiswife，whomwetookinpawnatthe’ThreeRooks’？\"
\"AndthelandladyonlyhunglastMichaelmas？\"saidthetallman，parenthetically。
\"Hangthelandlady！——we’vegotallweeverwouldoutofHER，youknow。Butaboutthemanandwoman。Youwentafterthechap’smother，and，likeajackass，asyouare，lethimloose。Well，thewomanwasthatCatherinethatyou’veoftenheardmetalkabout。I
likethewench，————her，forIalmostbroughtherup；andshewasforayearortwoalongwiththatscoundrelGalgenstein，whohasbeenthecauseofmyruin。\"
\"Theinferrnalblackguardandruffian！\"saidthetallman；who，withhiscompanion，hasnodoubtbeenrecognisedbythereader。
\"Well，thisCatherinehadachildbyGalgenstein；andsomewhereherehardbythewomanlivedtowhomwecarriedthebrattonurse。Shewasthewifeofablacksmith，oneBillings：itwon’tbeoutofthewaytogetourhorseshodathishouse，ifheisalivestill，andwemaylearnsomethingaboutthelittlebeast。Ishouldbegladtoseethemotherwellenough。\"
\"DoIremimberher？\"saidtheEnsign。\"DoIremimberwhisky？SureIdo，andthesnivellingsneakherhusband，andthestoutoldladyhermother—in—law，andthedirtyone—eyedruffianwhosoldmetheparson’shatthathadsonearlybroughtmeintotrouble。Ohbutitwasararerisewegotoutofthemchaps，andtheoldlandladythat’shangedtoo！\"AndherebothEnsignMacshaneandMajorBrock，orWood，grinned，andshowedmuchsatisfaction。
Itwillbenecessarytoexplainthereasonofit。WegavetheBritishpublictounderstandthatthelandladyofthe\"ThreeRooks，\"
atWorcester，wasanotoriousfence，orbankerofthieves；thatis，apurchaseroftheirmerchandise。InherhandsMr。Brockandhiscompanionhadleftpropertytotheamountofsixtyorseventypounds，whichwassecretedinacunningrecessinachamberofthe\"ThreeRooks\"knownonlytothelandladyandthegentlemenwhobankedwithher；andinthisplace，Mr。Sicklop，theone—eyedmanwhohadjoinedintheHayesadventure，hiscomrade，andoneortwoofthetoppingprigsofthecounty，werefree。Mr。SicklophadbeenshotdeadinanightattacknearBath：thelandladyhadbeensuddenlyhanged，asanaccompliceinanothercaseofrobbery；andwhen，ontheirreturnfromVirginia，ourtwoheroes，whosehopesoflivelihooddependeduponit，hadbenttheirstepstowardsWorcester，theywerenotalittlefrightenedtohearofthecruelfateofthehostessandmanyoftheamiablefrequentersofthe\"ThreeRooks。\"
Allthegoodlycompanywereseparated；thehousewasnolongeraninn。Wasthemoneygonetoo？Atleastitwasworthwhiletolook——
whichMessrs。BrockandMacshanedeterminedtodo。
Thehousebeingnowaprivateone，Mr。Brock，withageniusthatwasabovehisstation，visiteditsowner，withahugeportfoliounderhisarm，and，inthecharacterofapainter，requestedpermissiontotakeaparticularsketchfromaparticularwindow。TheEnsignfollowedwiththeartist’smaterials（consistingsimplyofascrewdriverandacrowbar）；anditishardlynecessarytosaythat，whenadmissionwasgrantedtothem，theyopenedthewell—knowndoor，andtotheirinexpressiblesatisfactiondiscovered，nottheirownpeculiarsavingsexactly，forthesehadbeenappropriatedinstantly，onhearingoftheirtransportation，butstoresofmoneyandgoodstotheamountofnearthreehundredpounds：towhichMr。Macshanesaidtheyhadasjustandhonourablearightasanybodyelse。Andsotheyhadasjustarightasanybody——excepttheoriginalowners：
butwhowastodiscoverthem？
Withthisbootytheysetoutontheirjourney——anywhere，fortheyknewnotwhither；anditsochancedthatwhentheirhorse’sshoecameoff，theywerewithinafewfurlongsofthecottageofMr。
Billings，theblacksmith。Astheycamenear，theyweresalutedbytremendousroarsissuingfromthesmithy。Asmallboywasheldacrossthebellows，twoorthreechildrenofsmallerandlargergrowthwereholdinghimdown，andmanyothersofthevillageweregazinginatthewindow，whileaman，half—naked，waslashingthelittleboywithawhip，andoccasioningthecriesheardbythetravellers。Asthehorsedrewup，theoperatorlookedatthenew—
comersforamoment，andthenproceededincontinentlywithhiswork；
belabouringthechildmorefiercelythanever。
Whenhehaddone，heturnedroundtothenew—comersandaskedhowhecouldservethem？whereuponMr。Wood（forsuchwasthenameheadopted，andbysuchweshallcallhimtotheend）wittilyremarkedthathoweverhemightwishtoserveTHEM，heseemedmightilyinclinedtoservethatyounggentlemanfirst。
\"It’snojokingmatter，\"saidtheblacksmith：\"ifIdon’tservehimsonow，he’llbeworseoffinhisoldage。He’llcometothegallows，assureashisnameisBill———nevermindwhathisnameis。\"
Andsosaying，hegavetheurchinanothercut；whichelicited，ofcourse，anotherscream。
\"Oh！hisnameisBill？\"saidCaptainWood。
\"Hisname’sNOTBill！\"saidtheblacksmith，sulkily。\"He’snoname；
andnoheart，neither。Mywifetookthebratin，sevenyearsago，fromabeggarlyFrenchchaptonurse，andshekepthim，forshewasagoodsoul\"（herehiseyesbegantowink），\"andshe’s——she’sgonenow\"（herehebeganfairlytoblubber）。\"Andd———him，outofloveforher，Ikepthimtoo，andthescoundrelisaliarandathief。
Thisblessedday，merelytovexmeandmyboyshere，hespokeillofher，hedid，andI’ll——cut——his——life——out——I——will！\"andwitheachwordhonestMulciberappliedawhackonthebodyoflittleTomBillings；who，byshrillshrieks，andoathsintreble，acknowledgedthereceiptoftheblows。
\"Come，come，\"saidMr。Wood，\"settheboydown，andthebellowsa—going；myhorsewantsshoeing，andthepoorladhashadstrappingenough。\"
Theblacksmithobeyed，andcastpoorMasterThomasloose。Ashestaggeredawayandlookedbackathistormentor，hiscountenanceassumedanexpressionwhichmadeMr。Woodsay，graspingholdofMacshane’sarm，\"It’stheboy，it’stheboy！WhenhismothergaveGalgensteinthelaudanum，shehadtheself—samelookwithher！\"
\"Hadshereallynow？\"saidMr。Macshane。\"Andpree，Meejor，whoWAS
hismother？\"
\"Mrs。Cat，youfool！\"answeredWood。
\"Then，uponmysecredwordofhonour，shehasamightyfineKITTEN
anyhow，mydear。Aha！\"
\"Theydon’tDROWNsuchkittens，\"saidMr。Wood，archly；andMacshane，takingtheallusion，clappedhisfingertohisnoseintokenofperfectapprobationofhiscommander’ssentiment。
Whiletheblacksmithwasshoeingthehorse，Mr。Woodaskedhimmanyquestionsconcerningtheladwhomhehadjustbeenchastising，andsucceeded，beyondadoubt，inestablishinghisidentitywiththechildwhomCatherineHallhadbroughtintotheworldsevenyearssince。Billingstoldhimofallthevirtuesofhiswife，andthemanifoldcrimesofthelad：howhestole，andfought，andlied，andswore；andthoughtheyoungestunderhisroof，exercisedthemostbanefulinfluenceoveralltherestofhisfamily。Hewasdeterminedatlast，hesaid，toputhimtotheparish，forhedidnotdaretokeephim。
\"He’safinewhelp，andwouldfetchtenpiecesinVirginny，\"sighedtheEnsign。
\"Crimp，ofBristol，wouldgivefiveforhim，\"saidMr。Wood，ruminating。
\"Whynottakehim？\"saidtheEnsign。
\"Faith，whynot？\"saidMr。Wood。\"Hiskeep，meanwhile，willnotbesixpenceaday。\"Thenturningroundtotheblacksmith，\"Mr。
Billings，\"saidhe，\"youwillbesurprised，perhaps，tohearthatI
knoweverythingregardingthatpoorlad’shistory。Hismotherwasanunfortunateladyofhighfamily，nownomore；hisfatheraGermannobleman，CountdeGalgensteinbyname。\"
\"Theveryman！\"saidBillings：\"ayoung，fair—hairedman，whocameherewiththechild，andadragoonsergeant。\"
\"CountdeGalgensteinbyname，who，onthepointofdeath，recommendedtheinfanttome。\"
\"Anddidhepayyousevenyears’boarding？\"saidMr。Billings，whowasquitealiveattheveryidea。
\"Alas，sir，notajot！Hedied，sir，sixhundredpoundsinmydebt；
didn’the，Ensign？\"
\"Sixhundred，uponmysecredhonour！Irememberwhenhegotintothehousealongwiththepoli——\"
\"Psha！whatmattersit？\"herebrokeoutMr。Wood，lookingfiercelyattheEnsign。\"Sixhundredpoundsheowesme：howwashetopayyou？Buthetoldmetotakechargeofthisboy，ifIfoundhim；andfoundhimIhave，andWILLtakechargeofhim，ifyouwillhandhimover。\"
\"SendourTom！\"criedBillings。Andwhenthatyouthappeared，scowling，andyettrembling，andprepared，asitseemed，foranothercastigation，hisfather，tohissurprise，askedhimifhewaswillingtogoalongwiththosegentlemen，orwhetherhewouldbeagoodladandstaywithhim。
Mr。Tomrepliedimmediately，\"Iwon’tbeagoodlad，andI’drathergoto————thanstaywithyou！\"
\"Willyouleaveyourbrothersandsisters？\"saidBillings，lookingverydismal。
\"Hangmybrothersandsisters——Ihate’em；and，besides，Ihaven’tgotany！\"
\"Butyouhadagoodmother，hadn’tyou，Tom？\"
Tompausedforamoment。
\"Mother’sgone，\"saidhe，\"andyouflogme，andI’llgowiththesemen。\"
\"Well，then，gothyways，\"saidBillings，startingupinapassion：
\"gothywaysforagracelessreprobate；andifthisgentlemanwilltakeyou，hemaydoso。\"
Aftersomefurtherparley，theconversationended，andthenextmorningMr。Wood’spartyconsistedofthree：alittleboybeingmounteduponthebayhorse，inadditiontotheEnsignorhimself；
andthewholecompanywentjourneyingtowardsBristol。
***
WehavesaidthatMrs。Hayeshad，onasudden，takenafitofmaternalaffection，andwasbentuponbeingrestoredtoherchild；
andthatbenigndestinywhichwatchedoverthelifeofthisluckyladyinstantlysetaboutgratifyingherwish，and，withoutcosttoherselfofcoach—hireorsaddle—horse，senttheyounggentlemanveryquicklytoherarms。ThevillageinwhichtheHayesesdweltwasbutaveryfewmilesoutoftheroadfromBristol；whither，onthebenevolentmissionabove，hintedat，ourpartyofworthieswerebound：andcoming，towardstheafternoon，insightofthehouseofthatveryJusticeBallancewhohadbeensonearlytheruinofEnsignMacshane，thatofficernarrated，forthehundredthtime，andwithmuchglee，thecircumstanceswhichhadthenbefallenhim，andthemannerinwhichMrs。Hayestheelderhadcomeforwardtohisrescue。
\"Supposewegoandseetheoldgirl？\"suggestedMr。Wood。\"Noharmcancometousnow。\"Andhiscomradealwaysassenting，theywoundtheirwaytowardsthevillage，andreacheditastheeveningcameon。Inthepublic—housewheretheyrested，WoodmadeinquiriesconcerningtheHayesfamily；wasinformedofthedeathoftheoldcouple，oftheestablishmentofJohnHayesandhiswifeintheirplace，andofthekindoflifethattheselatterledtogether。Whenallthesepointshadbeenimpartedtohim，heruminatedmuch：anexpressionofsublimetriumphandexultationatlengthlighteduphisfeatures。\"Ithink，Tim，\"saidheatlast，\"thatwecanmakemorethanfivepiecesofthatboy。\"
\"Oh，incoorse！\"saidTimothyMacshane，Esquire；whoalwaysagreedwithhis\"Meejor。\"
\"Incoorse，youfool！andhow？I’lltellyouhow。ThisHayesiswelltodointheworld，and——\"
\"Andwe’llnabhimagain——ha，ha！\"roaredoutMacshane。\"Bymysecredhonour，Meejor，thereneverwasaginerallikeyouatastrathyjam！\"
\"Peace，youbellowingdonkey，anddon’twakethechild。Themaniswelltodo，hiswiferuleshim，andtheyhavenochildren。Now，eithershewillbeverygladtohavetheboybackagain，andpayforthefindingofhim，orelseshehassaidnothingabouthim，andwillpayusforbeingsilenttoo：or，atanyrate，Hayeshimselfwillbeashamedatfindinghiswifethemotherofachildayearolderthanhismarriage，andwillpayforthekeepingofthebrataway。
There’sprofit，mydear，inanyoneofthecases，ormyname’snotPeterBrock。\"
WhentheEnsignunderstoodthiswondrousargument，hewouldfainhavefallenonhiskneesandworshippedhisfriendandguide。Theybeganoperations，almostimmediately，byanattackonMrs。Hayes。
Onhearing，asshedidinprivateinterviewwiththeex—corporalthenextmorning，thathersonwasfound，shewasagitatedbybothofthepassionswhichWoodattributedtoher。Shelongedtohavetheboyback，andwouldgiveanyreasonablesumtoseehim；butshedreadedexposure，andwouldpayequallytoavoidthat。Howcouldshegaintheonepointandescapetheother？
Mrs。Hayeshituponanexpedientwhich，Iamgiventounderstand，isnotuncommonnowadays。Shesuddenlydiscoveredthatshehadadearbrother，whohadbeenobligedtoflythecountryinconsequenceofhavingjoinedthePretender，andhaddiedinFrance，leavingbehindhimanonlyson。Thisboyherbrotherhad，withhislastbreath，recommendedtoherprotection，andhadconfidedhimtothechargeofabrotherofficerwhowasnowinthecountry，andwouldspeedilymakehisappearance；and，toputthestorybeyondadoubt，Mr。Woodwrotetheletterfromherbrotherstatingalltheseparticulars，andEnsignMacshanereceivedfullinstructionshowtoperformthepartofthe\"brotherofficer。\"WhatconsiderationMr。Woodreceivedforhisservices，wecannotsay；onlyitiswellknownthatMr。Hayescausedtobecommittedtogaolayoungapprenticeinhisservice，chargedwithhavingbrokenopenacupboardinwhichMr。Hayeshadfortyguineasingoldandsilver，andtowhichnonebutheandhiswifehadaccess。
Havingmadethesearrangements，theCorporalandhislittlepartydecampedtoashortdistance，andMrs。Catherinewaslefttoprepareherhusbandforaspeedyadditiontohisfamily，intheshapeofthisdarlingnephew。JohnHayesreceivedthenewswithanythingbutpleasure。HehadneverheardofanybrotherofCatherine’s；shehadbeenbredattheworkhouse，andnobodyeverhintedthatshehadrelatives：butitiseasyforaladyofmoderategeniustoinventcircumstances；andwithlies，tears，threats，coaxings，oaths，andotherblandishments，shecompelledhimtosubmit。
Twodaysafterwards，asMr。Hayeswasworkinginhisshopwithhisladyseatedbesidehim，thetramplingofahorsewasheardinhiscourtyard，andagentleman，ofhugestature，descendedfromit，andstrodeintotheshop。Hisfigurewaswrappedinalargecloak；butMr。Hayescouldnothelpfancyingthathehadsomewhereseenhisfacebefore。
\"This，Ipreshoom，\"saidthegentleman，\"isMistherHayes，thatI
havecomesomanymilestosee，andthisishisamiablelady？Iwasthemostintimatefrind，madam，ofyourlamintedbrother，whodiedinKingLewis’sservice，andwhoselasttouchingletthersI
despatchedtoyoutwodaysago。Ihavewithmeafurtherprecioustokenofmydearfriend，CaptainHall——itisHERE。\"
Andsosaying，themilitarygentleman，withonearm，removedhiscloak，andstretchingforwardtheotherintoHayes’sfacealmost，stretchedlikewiseforwardalittleboy，grinningandsprawlingintheair，andpreventedonlyfromfallingtothegroundbytheholdwhichtheEnsignkeptofthewaistbandofhislittlecoatandbreeches。
\"Isn’theaprettyboy？\"saidMrs。Hayes，sidlinguptoherhusbandtenderly，andpressingoneofMr。Hayes’shands。
***
Aboutthelad’sbeautyitisneedlesstosaywhatthecarpenterthought；butthatnight，andformanymanynightsafter，theladstayedatMr。Hayes’s。
CHAPTERVIII。ENUMERATESTHEACCOMPLISHMENTSOFMASTERTHOMAS
BILLINGS——INTRODUCESBROCKASDOCTORWOOD——ANDANNOUNCESTHE
EXECUTIONOFENSIGNMACSHANE。
Weareobliged，inrecordingthishistory，tofollowaccuratelythatgreatauthority，the\"CalendariumNewgaticumRoagorumqueRegisterium，\"ofwhicheveryloverofliterature，inthepresentdayknowsthevalue；andasthatremarkableworktotallydiscardsalltheunitiesinitsnarratives，andreckonsthelifeofitsheroesonlybytheiractions，andnotbyperiodsoftime，wemustfollowinthewakeofthismightyark——ahumblecock—boat。Whenitpauses，wepause；whenitrunstenknotsanhour，werunwiththesamecelerity；andas，inordertocarrythereaderfromthepenultimatechapterofthisworkuntothelastchapter，wewerecompelledtomakehimleapoveragapofsevenblankyears，tenyearsmoremustlikewisebegrantedtousbeforeweareatlibertytoresumeourhistory。
Duringthatperiod，MasterThomasBillingshadbeenundertheespecialcareofhismother；and，asmaybeimagined，heratherincreasedthandiminishedtheaccomplishmentsforwhichhehadbeenremarkablewhileundertheroofofhisfoster—father。Andwiththisadvantage，thatwhileattheblacksmith’s，andonlythreeorfouryearsofage，hisvirtueswerenecessarilyappreciatedonlyinhisfamilycircleandamongthosefewacquaintancesofhisowntimeoflifewhomayouthofthreecanbeexpectedtomeetinthealleysorovertheguttersofasmallcountryhamlet，——inhismothersresidence，hiscircleextendedwithhisowngrowth，andhebegantogiveproofsofthosepowersofwhichininfancytherehadbeenonlyencouragingindications。Thusitwasnowiseremarkablethatachildoffouryearsshouldnotknowhisletters，andshouldhavehadagreatdisinclinationtolearnthem；butwhenayoungmanoffifteenshowedthesamecreditableignorance，thesameundeviatingdislike，itwaseasytoseethathepossessedmuchresolutionandperseverance。Whenitwasremarked，too，that，incaseofanydifference，henotonlybeattheusher，butbynomeansdisdainedtotormentandbullytheverysmallestboysoftheschool，itwaseasytoseethathismindwascomprehensiveandcareful，aswellascourageousandgrasping。AsitwassaidoftheDukeofWellington，inthePeninsula，thathehadathoughtforeverybody——fromLordHilltothesmallestdrummerinthearmy——inlikemannerTomBillingsbestowedHISattentiononhighandlow；butintheshapeofblows：hewouldfightthestrongestandkickthesmallest，andwasalwaysatworkwithoneortheother。Atthirteen，whenhewasremovedfromtheestablishmentwhitherhehadbeensent，hewasthecockoftheschooloutofdoors，andtheverylastboyin。Heusedtoletthelittleboysandnew—comerspasshimby，andlaugh；buthealwaysbelabouredthemunmercifullyafterwards；andthenitwas，hesaid，HISturntolaugh。Withsuchapugnaciousturn，TomBillingsoughttohavebeenmadeasoldier，andmighthavediedamarshal；
but，byanunluckyordinanceoffate，hewasmadeatailor，anddieda——nevermindwhatforthepresent；sufficeittosay，thathewassuddenlycutoff，ataveryearlyperiodofhisexistence，byadiseasewhichhasexercisedconsiderableravagesamongtheBritishyouth。
Byconsultingtheauthorityabovementioned，wefindthatHayesdidnotconfinehimselftotheprofessionofacarpenter，orremainlongestablishedinthecountry；butwasinduced，bytheeagerspiritofMrs。Catherinemostprobably，totryhisfortuneinthemetropolis；
wherehelived，flourished，anddied。OxfordRoad，SaintGiles’s，andTottenhamCourtwere，atvariousperiodsofhisresidenceintown，inhabitedbyhim。Atoneplacehecarriedonthebusinessofgreengrocerandsmall—coalman；inanother，hewascarpenter，undertaker，andlenderofmoneytothepoor；finally，hewasalodging—housekeeperintheOxfordorTyburnRoad；butcontinuedtoexercisethelast—namedcharitableprofession。
Lendingashediduponpledges，andcarryingonaprettylargetrade，itwasnotforhim，ofcourse，toinquireintothepedigreeofallthepiecesofplate，thebalesofcloth，swords，watches，wigs，shoe—buckles，etc。thatwereconfidedbyhisfriendstohiskeeping；butitisclearthathisfriendshadtherequisiteconfidenceinhim，andthatheenjoyedtheesteemofaclassofcharacterswhostillliveinhistory，andareadmireduntothisveryday。Themindlovestothinkthat，perhaps，inMr。Hayes’sbackparlourthegallantTurpinmighthavehob—and—nobbedwithMrs。
Catherine；thathere，perhaps，thenobleSheppardmighthavecrackedhisjoke，orquaffedhispintofrum。WhoknowsbutthatMacheathandPaulCliffordmayhavecrossedlegsunderHayes’sdinner—table？
Butwhypausetospeculateonthingsthatmighthavebeen？whydesertrealityforfondimagination，orcallupfromtheirhonouredgravesthesacreddead？Iknownot：andyet，insooth，IcanneverpassCumberlandGatewithoutasigh，asIthinkofthegallantcavalierswhotraversedthatroadinoldtime。Piouspriestsaccompaniedtheirtriumphs；theirchariotsweresurroundedbyhostsofglitteringjavelin—men。AstheslaveatthecaroftheRomanconquerorshouted，\"Rememberthouartmortal！\"，beforetheeyesoftheBritishwarriorrodetheundertakerandhiscoffin，tellinghimthathetoomustdie！Markwellthespot！AhundredyearsagoAlbionStreet（wherecomicPowerdwelt，Milesia’sdarlingson）—
—AlbionStreetwasadesert。ThesquareofConnaughtwaswithoutitspenultimate，and，strictlyspeaking，NAUGHT。TheEdgwareRoadwasthenaroad，’tistrue；withtinklingwaggonspassingnowandthen，andfragrantwallsofsnowyhawthornblossoms。TheploughmanwhistledoverNutfordPlace；downthegreensolitudesofSovereignStreetthemerrymilkmaidledthelowingkine。Here，then，inthemidstofgreenfieldsandsweetair——beforeeveromnibuseswere，andwhenPineappleTurnpikeandTerracewerealikeunknown——herestoodTyburn：andontheroadtowardsit，perhapstoenjoytheprospect，stood，intheyear1725，thehabitationofMr。JohnHayes。
Onefinemorningintheyear1725，Mrs。Hayes，whohadbeenabroadinherbesthatandriding—hood；Mr。Hayes，whoforawonderhadaccompaniedher；andMrs。Springatt，alodger，whoforaremunerationhadthehonourofsharingMrs。Hayes’sfriendshipandtable：allreturned，smilingandrosy，atabouthalf—pastteno’clock，fromawalkwhichtheyhadtakentoBayswater。ManythousandsofpeoplewerelikewiseseenflockingdowntheOxfordRoad；andyouwouldratherhavethought，fromthesmartnessoftheirappearanceandthepleasuredepictedintheircountenances，thattheywerejustissuingfromasermon，thanquittingtheceremonywhichtheyhadbeentoattend。
Thefactis，thattheyhadjustbeentoseeagentlemanhanged，——acheappleasure，whichtheHayesfamilyneverdeniedthemselves；andtheyreturnedhomewithagoodappetitetobreakfast，bracedbythewalk，andtickledintohunger，asitwere，bythespectacle。Icanrecollect，whenIwasagypatCambridge，thatthe\"men\"usedtohavebreakfast—partiesfortheverysamepurpose；andtheexhibitionofthemorningactedinfalliblyuponthestomach，andcausedtheyoungstudentstoeatwithmuchvoracity。
Well，Mrs。Catherine，ahandsome，well—dressed，plump，rosywomanofthreeorfourandthirty（andwhen，mydear，isawomanhandsomerthanatthatage？），cameinquitemerrilyfromherwalk，andenteredtheback—parlour，whichlookedintoapleasantyard，orgarden，whereonthesunwasshiningverygaily；andwhere，atatablecoveredwithanicewhitecloth，laidoutwithsomesilvermugs，too，andknives，allwithdifferentcrestsandpatterns，satanoldgentlemanreadinginanoldbook。
\"Hereweareatlast，Doctor，\"saidMrs。Hayes，\"andhere’shisspeech。\"Sheproducedthelittlehalfpennytract，whichtothisdayissoldatthegallows—footuponthedeathofeveryoffender。\"I’veseenamanymenturnedoff，tobesure；butIneverdidseeonewhoboreitmorelikeamanthanhedid。\"
\"Mydear，\"saidthegentlemanaddressedasDoctor，\"hewasascoolandasbraveassteel，andnomoremindedhangingthantooth—drawing。\"
\"Itwasthedrinkthatruinedhim，\"saidMrs。Cat。
\"Drink，andbadcompany。Iwarnedhim，mydear，——Iwarnedhimyearsago：anddirectlyhegotintoWild’sgang，Iknewthathehadnotayeartorun。Ah，why，mylove，willmencontinuesuchdangerouscourses，\"continuedtheDoctor，withasigh，\"andjeopardytheirlivesforamiserablewatchorasnuff—box，ofwhichMr。Wildtakesthree—fourthsoftheproduce？Butherecomesthebreakfast；and，egad，Iamashungryasaladoftwenty。\"
Indeed，atthismomentMrs。Hayes’sservantappearedwithasmokingdishofbaconandgreens；andMr。Hayeshimselfascendedfromthecellar（ofwhichhekeptthekey），bearingwithhimatolerablylargejugofsmall—beer。TothisrepasttheDoctor，Mrs。Springatt（theotherlodger），andMr。andMrs。Hayes，proceededwithgreatalacrity。Afifthcoverwaslaid，butnotused；thecompanyremarkingthat\"TomhadverylikelyfoundsomeacquaintancesatTyburn，withwhomhemightchoosetopassthemorning。\"
TomwasMasterThomasBillings，nowoftheageofsixteen：slim，smart，fivefeetteninchesinheight，handsome，sallowincomplexion，black—eyedandblack—haired。Mr。Billingswasapprenticetoatailor，oftolerablepractice，whowastotakehimintopartnershipattheendofhisterm。Itwassupposed，andwithreason，thatTomwouldnotfailtomakeafortuneinthisbusiness；
ofwhichthepresentheadwasoneBeinkleider，aGerman。
Beinkleiderwasskilfulinhistrade（afterthemannerofhisnation，whichinbreechesandmetaphysics——ininexpressiblesandincomprehensibles——mayinstructallEurope），buttoofondofhispleasure。SomepromissorynotesofhishadfoundtheirwayintoHayes’shands，andhadgivenhimthemeansnotonlyofprovidingMasterBillingswithacheapapprenticeship，andacheappartnershipafterwards；butwouldempowerhim，inoneortwoyearsaftertheyoungpartnerhadjoinedthefirm，toejecttheoldonealtogether。
Sothattherewaseveryprospectthat，whenMr。Billingswastwenty—oneyearsofage，poorBeinkleiderwouldhavetoact，notashismaster，buthisjourneyman。
Tomwasaveryprecociousyouth；wassuppliedbyadotingmotherwithplentyofpocket—money，andspentitwithanumberoflivelycompanionsofbothsexes，atplays，bull—baitings，fairs，jollypartiesontheriver，andsuch—likeinnocentamusements。Hecouldthrowamain，too，aswellashiselders；hadpinkedhisman，inarowatMadamKing’sinthePiazza；andwasmuchrespectedattheRoundhouse。
Mr。Hayeswasnotveryfondofthispromisingyounggentleman；
indeed，hehadthebasenesstobearmalice，because，inaquarrelwhichoccurredabouttwoyearspreviously，he，Hayes，beingdesiroustochastiseMr。Billings，hadfoundhimselfnotonlyquiteincompetent，butactuallyatthemercyoftheboy；whostruckhimovertheheadwithajoint—stool，felledhimtotheground，andsworehewouldhavehislife。TheDoctor，whowasthenalsoalodgeratMr。Hayes’s，interposed，andrestoredthecombatants，nottofriendship，buttopeace。Hayesneverafterwardsattemptedtolifthishandtotheyoungman，butcontentedhimselfwithhatinghimprofoundly。InthissentimentMr。Billingsparticipatedcordially；and，quiteunlikeMr。Hayes，whoneverdaredtoshowhisdislike，usedoneveryoccasionwhentheymet，byactions，looks，words，sneers，andcurses，tolethisstepfatherknowtheopinionwhichhehadofhim。WhydidnotHayesdiscardtheboyaltogether？
Because，ifhedidso，hewasreallyafraidofhislife，andbecausehetrembledbeforeMrs。Hayes，hislady，astheleaftremblesbeforethetempestinOctober。Hisbreathwasnothisown，buthers；hismoney，too，hadbeenchieflyofhergetting，——forthoughhewasasstingyandmeanasmortalmancanbe，andsolikelytosavemuch，hehadnotthegeniusforGETTINGwhichMrs。Hayespossessed。Shekepthisbooks（forshehadlearnedtoreadandwritebythistime），shemadehisbargains，andshedirectedtheoperationsofthepoor—spiritedlittlecapitalist。Whenbillsbecamedue，anddebtorspressedfortime，thenshebroughtHayes’sownprofessionalmeritsintoplay。Themanwasasdeafandcoldasarock；neverdidpoortradesmengainapennyfromhim；neverwerethebailiffsdelayedonesingleminutefromtheirprey。TheBeinkleiderbusiness，forinstance，showedprettywellthegeniusofthetwo。Hayeswasforclosingwithhimatonce；buthiswifesawthevastprofitswhichmightbedrawnoutofhim，andarrangedtheapprenticeshipandthepartnershipbeforealludedto。Thewomanheartilyscornedandspituponherhusband，whofawneduponherlikeaspaniel。Shelovedgoodcheer；shedidnotwantforacertainkindofgenerosity。TheonlyfeelingthatHayeshadforanyoneexcepthimselfwasforhiswife，whomheheldinacowardlyaweandattachment：helikeddrink，too，whichmadehimchirpingandmerry，andacceptedwillinglyanytreatsthathisacquaintancesmightofferhim；buthewouldsufferagonieswhenhiswifebroughtororderedfromthecellarabottleofwine。
AndnowfortheDoctor。Hewasaboutseventyyearsofage。Hehadbeenmuchabroad；hewasofasober，cheerfulaspect；hedressedhandsomelyandquietlyinabroadhatandcassock；butsawnocompanyexceptthefewfriendswhomhemetatthecoffee—house。Hehadanincomeofaboutonehundredpounds，whichhepromisedtoleavetoyoungBillings。Hewasamusedwiththelad，andfondofhismother，andhadboardedwiththemforsomeyearspast。TheDoctor，infact，wasouroldfriendCorporalBrock，theReverendDoctorWoodnow，ashehadbeenMajorWoodfifteenyearsback。
AnyonewhohasreadtheformerpartofthishistorymusthaveseenthatwehavespokenthroughoutwithinvariablerespectofMr。Brock；
andthatineverycircumstanceinwhichhehasappeared，hehasactednotonlywithprudence，butoftenwithgenius。TheearlyobstacletoMr。Brock’ssuccesswaswantofconductsimply。Drink，women，play——howmanyabravefellowhavetheyruined！——hadpulledBrockdownasoftenashismerithadcarriedhimup。Whenaman’spassionforplayhasbroughthimtobeascoundrel，itatonceceasestobehurtfultohiminaworldlypointofview；hecheats，andwins。Itisonlyfortheidleandluxuriousthatwomenretaintheirfascinationstoaverylateperiod；andBrock’spassionshadbeenwhippedoutofhiminVirginia；wheremuchill—health，ill—treatment，hardlabour，andhardfood，speedilyputanendtothem。Heforgotthereevenhowtodrink；rumorwinemadethispoordeclininggentlemansoillthathecouldindulgeinthemnolonger；
andsohisthreeviceswerecured。
Hadhebeenambitious，thereislittledoubtbutthatMr。Brock，onhisreturnfromtransportation，mighthaverisenintheworld；buthewasoldandaphilosopher：hedidnotcareaboutrising。Livingwascheaperinthosedays，andinterestformoneyhigher：whenhehadamassedaboutsixhundredpounds，hepurchasedanannuityofseventy—twopounds，andgaveout——whyshouldhenot？——thathehadthecapitalaswellastheinterest。AfterleavingtheHayesfamilyinthecountry，hefoundthemagaininLondon：hetookuphisabodewiththem，andwasattachedtothemotherandtheson。Doyousupposethatrascalshavenotaffectionslikeotherpeople？hearts，madam——ay，hearts——andfamilytieswhichtheycherish？AstheDoctorlivedonwiththischarmingfamilyhebegantoregretthathehadsunkallhismoneyinannuities，andcouldnot，asherepeatedlyvowedhewould，leavehissavingstohisadoptedchildren。
Hefeltanindescribablepleasure（\"suavemarimagno，\"etc。）inwatchingthestormsandtempestsoftheHayesmenage。HeusedtoencourageMrs。Catherineintoangerwhen，haply，thatlady’sfitsofcalmwouldlasttoolong；heusedtowarmupthedisputesbetweenwifeandhusband，motherandson，andenjoythembeyondexpression：
theyservedhimfordailyamusement；andheusedtolaughuntilthetearsrandownhisvenerablecheeksattheaccountswhichyoungTomcontinuallybroughthimofhispranksabroad，amongwatchmenandconstables，attavernsorelsewhere。
When，therefore，asthepartywerediscussingtheirbaconandcabbage，beforewhichtheReverendDoctorwithmuchgravitysaidgrace，MasterTomentered。DoctorWood，whohadbeforebeenrathergloomy，immediatelybrightenedup，andmadeaplaceforBillingsbetweenhimselfandMrs。Catherine。
\"Howdo，oldcock？\"saidthatyounggentlemanfamiliarly。\"Howgoesit，mother？\"Andsosaying，heseizedeagerlyuponthejugofbeerwhichMr。Hayeshaddrawn，andfromwhichthelatterwasabouttohelphimself，andpoureddownhisthroatexactlyonequart。
\"Ah！\"saidMr。Billings，drawingbreathafteradraughtwhichhehadlearnedaccuratelytogaugefromthehabitofdrinkingoutofpewtermeasureswhichheldpreciselythatquantity。——\"Ah！\"saidMr。
Billings，drawingbreath，andwipinghismouthwithhissleeves，\"thisisverythinstuff，oldSquaretoes；butmycoppershavebeenred—hotsincelastnight，andtheywantedasluicing。\"
\"Shouldyoulikesomeale，dear？\"saidMrs。Hayes，thatfondandjudiciousparent。
\"Aquartofbrandy，Tom？\"saidDoctorWood。\"Yourpapawillrundowntothecellarforitinaminute。\"
\"I’llseehimhangedfirst！\"criedMr。Hayes，quitefrightened。
\"Oh，fie，now，youunnaturalfather！\"saidtheDoctor。
TheverynameoffatherusedtoputMr。Hayesinafury。\"I’mnothisfather，thankHeaven！\"saidhe。
\"No，nornobodyelse’s，\"saidTom。
Mr。Hayesonlymuttered\"Base—bornbrat！\"
\"Hisfatherwasagentleman，——that’smorethanyoueverwere！\"
screamedMrs。Hayes。\"Hisfatherwasamanofspirit；nocowardlysneakofacarpenter，MrHayes！Tomhasnoblebloodinhisveins，forallhehasatailor’sappearance；andifhismotherhadhadherright，shewouldbenowinacoach—and—six。\"
\"IwishIcouldfindmyfather，\"saidTom；\"forIthinkPollyBriggsandIwouldlookmightywellinacoach—and—six。\"Tomfanciedthatifhisfatherwasacountatthetimeofhisbirth，hemustbeaprincenow；and，indeed，wentamonghiscompanionsbythelatteraugusttitle。
\"Ay，Tom，thatyouwould，\"criedhismother，lookingathimfondly。
\"Withaswordbymyside，andahatandfeatherthere’sneveralordatSt。James’swouldcutafinerfigure。\"
Afteralittlemoreofthistalk，inwhichMrs。Hayesletthecompanyknowherhighopinionofherson——who，asusual，tookcaretoshowhisextremecontemptforhisstepfather——thelatterretiredtohisoccupations；thelodger，Mrs。Springatt，whohadneversaidawordallthistime，retiredtoherapartmentonthesecondfloor；
and，pullingouttheirpipesandtobacco，theoldgentlemanandtheyoungonesolacedthemselveswithhalf—an—hour’smoretalkandsmoking；whilethethriftyMrs。Hayes，oppositetothem，wasbusywithherbooks。
\"What’sintheconfessions？\"saidMr。BillingstoDoctorWood。
\"Thereweresixof’embesidesMac：twoforsheep，fourhousebreakers；butnothingofconsequence，Ifancy。\"
\"There’sthepaper，\"saidWood，archly。\"Readforyourself，Tom。\"
Mr。Tomlookedatthesametimeveryfierceandveryfoolish；for，thoughhecoulddrink，swear，andfightaswellasanyladofhisinchesinEngland，readingwasnotamonghisaccomplishments。\"I
tellyouwhat，Doctor，\"saidhe，\"————you！havenobanteringwithme，——forI’mnotthemanthatwillbearit，——me！\"andhethrewatremendousswaggeringlookacrossthetable。
\"Iwantyoutolearntoread，Tommydear。Lookatyourmotherthereoverherbooks：shekeepsthemasneatasascrivenernow，andattwentyshecouldmakeneverastroke。\"
\"Yourgodfatherspeaksforyourgood，child；andforme，thouknowestthatIhavepromisedtheeagold—headedcaneandperiwigonthefirstdaythatthoucanstreadmeacolumnoftheFlyingPost。\"
\"Hangtheperiwig！\"saidMr。Tom，testily。\"Letmygodfatherreadthepaperhimself，ifhehasalikingforit。\"
Whereupontheoldgentlemanputonhisspectacles，andglancedoverthesheetofwhity—brownpaper，which，ornamentedwithapictureofagallowsatthetop，containedthebiographiesofthesevenunluckyindividualswhohadthatmorningsufferedthepenaltyofthelaw。
Withthesixheroeswhocamefirstinthelistwehavenothingtodo；buthavebeforeusacopyofthepapercontainingthelifeofNo。7，andwhichtheDoctorreadinanaudiblevoice。
\"CAPTAINMACSHANE。
\"Theseventhvictimtohisowncrimeswasthefamoushighwayman，CaptainMacshane，sowellknownastheIrishFire—eater。
\"TheCaptaincametothegroundinafinewhitelawnshirtandnightcap；and，beingaPapistinhisreligion，wasattendedbyFatherO’Flaherty，Popishpriest，andchaplaintotheBavarianEnvoy。
\"CaptainMacshanewasbornofrespectableparents，inthetownofClonakilty，inIreland，beingdescendedfrommostofthekingsinthatcountry。HehadthehonourofservingtheirMajestiesKingWilliamandQueenMary，andHerMajestyQueenAnne，inFlandersandSpain，andobtainedmuchcreditfrommyLordsMarlboroughandPeterboroughforhisvalour。
\"Butbeingplacedonhalf—payattheendofthewar，EnsignMacshanetooktoevilcourses；and，frequentingthebagniosanddice—houses，wasspeedilybroughttoruin。
\"Beingatthispass，hefellinwiththenotoriousCaptainWood，andtheytwotogethercommittedmanyatrociousrobberiesintheinlandcounties；butthesebeingtoohottoholdthem，theywentintothewest，wheretheywereunknown。Here，however，thedayofretributionarrived；for，havingstolenthreepewter—potsfromapublic—house，they，underfalsenames，weretriedatExeter，andtransportedforsevenyearsbeyondthesea。ThusitisseenthatJusticeneversleeps；but，soonerorlatter，issuretoovertakethecriminal。
\"OntheirreturnfromVirginia，aquarrelaboutbootyarosebetweenthesetwo，andMacshanekilledWoodinacombatthattookplacebetweenthemneartothetownofBristol；butawaggoncomingup，Macshanewasobligedtoflywithouttheill—gottenwealth：sotrueisit，thatwickednessneverprospers。
\"Twodaysafterwards，MacshanemetthecoachofMissMacraw，aScotchladyandheiress，going，forlumbagoandgout，totheBath。
Heatfirstwouldhaverobbedthislady；butsuchwerehisarts，thatheinducedhertomarryhim；andtheylivedtogetherforsevenyearsinthetownofEddenboro，inScotland，——hepassingunderthenameofColonelGeraldine。Theladydying，andMacshanehavingexpendedallherwealth，hewasobligedtoresumehisformerevilcourses，inordertosavehimselffromstarvation；whereuponherobbedaScotchlord，bynametheLordofWhistlebinkie，ofamullofsnuff；forwhichcrimehewascondemnedtotheTolboothprisonatEddenboro，inScotland，andwhippedmanytimesinpublick。
