Page:Adventures of the extravagant wit, or, The English swindler.pdf/11

( 11 ) The next tavern was our council-chamber, and wine was the dictator We there unanimouſly concluded it was a thing braceth us to pick up here and there a crown but reſolved to have at all, knowing that a five hour adventure might make us poſſeſſors of 300l. With this reſolution we went and bought us horſes, with all this requisite for our intended expeditions being aller ady and well prepared, we took ur leave of London for a while. We had not rid b ve hf een miles when we baised: the hoſter knowing me, and what deſigns I had formerly been upon, and imagining i was ſteering the ſame courſe, whiſpered me in the ear that he had a deſire to ſpeak with me inſtantly: making my opportunity, under pretence of looking to my horſe, I went to the table, where he informed me that there were three within drinking that next morning would travel ſuch a road, and that they had a great charge with them I thanked him bidding him come to my chamber at night, where I would discourſe farther with him: then he gave me a ſummary account of all: and after promiſes to him of reward if we proſpered, we betook ourſelves to our reſt. In the morning very easily we called for our horſes and rid in the road trough which thoſe three travellers were to paſs, where we placed ourſelves very conveniently. About three hours after, we could diſcern them at a distance; and by the time we had made ourſelve ready, they were at hand. Juſt at the bottom of a ſmall hill, we bid them ſtand: they aſked us to what intent: we told them, that we were younger brothers, and wanted money, and therefore muſt borrow ſome of them. With that they all in an inſtant drew their piſtols but we being ready provided with our piſtols, fired at them, and they again at us: we were all at levelcoil, and very equally matched; the ſecond ſhot killed my horſe, and a fourth bereaved one of my