Page:History of James Allan.pdf/20

 a female entered and said, "Quick—fly!—no thanks:—my husband may suffer for this negligence ; but remember Dumfries;” and as Allan left the place, he recollected that the gaoler’s daughter, of Dumfries, the Serjeant’s wife, and his deliverer, were the same person.

Allan, according to his custom, struck across the country:—On reaching Darlington, he met with the celebrated Bet Whiston, who would treat him. Allan discovering that she had both silver and gold, succeeded in intoxicating her, when he emptied her pockets, and pursued his journey. On arriving at Chester-le-Street, he found a number of pitmen raffling for a gun, after which they began to throw for small sums, when Allan offered to stake ten guineas to five on a single throw. The pitmen agreed, and sent for lucky Geordy Dunn to cast for them; but Allan dexterously changing the dice, threw two above him, and instantly swept the table. He reached Newcastle quite big about the dash he would cut at Rothbury; but on passing the head of the Side, he met an old female acquaintance, who invited him to her residence in the Castle Girth. The next day she absconded, taking with her the whole of his ill-gotten gains, and he was obliged to tramp forward to Morpeth without a shilling in his pocket. At Morpeth he had recourse to his old expedient, and enlisted. The sergeant suspecting whom he had to deal with, had him sworn in, and directly marched off to his officer at Newcastle. The officer being in company, offered to bet fifty pounds to thirty that he should not escape before they reached head-quarters at York, He was told not to be too confident, for Allan could double like a fox, and run like a hare. A gentleman accepted the bet, and allowed him to inform his men of the circumstance, and keep it a secret from Allan. The officer promised to divide his winnings between two corporals and two sergeants, to whom Allan was especially entrusted. One corporal walked before, and the other followed after, with their muskets loaded; while a sergeant walked on each side of him with their swords drawn. Allan being only a recruit, felt indignant at such treatment, and resolved to escape at the risk of his life. They reached Boroughbridge before an opportunity presented itself. As they were passing by the side of a wood, Allan observed that he would be under the necessity of troubling them for a minute; his guards accordingly drew up a few paces