Page:History of James Allan.pdf/6

 to catch him, when old Will threw open the door, and ran off at his utmost speed, his wife standing in the doorstead, shaking her apron, and screaming, “Run, Jemmy, run!” The constables immediately joined in the pursuit; the stratagem succeeded: after old Will had run about a mile, he leisurely drew up, and said, with a sarcastic grin, “I dare say Jemmy will be far enough off now,”—and so he was; for, in the mean time, he had stole quietly off in a very different direction.

Allan shortly after made his appearance at Stagshawbank fair, where, on entering a tent, he met the sergeant of the company to which he was attached. The sergeant laid hold of his arm, and said, “Is not your name Allan?” Without replying, Allan laid him sprawling at his feet, and ran for it;—but the cry being set up, “Stop thief,” he was taken and put into confinement, until an escort was ready to convey him to his regiment. At length three hearty fellows arrived, and they set off to head-quarters. On the second day they put up at a public-house, and as none of them were tired, they went into a yard to amuse themselves, when Allan bet a gallon he could beat them at quoits; and, as the yard-wall was high, his hand-cuffs were readily taken off. During the game the soldiers drank freely, and, after play, they began to dispute which was the best shot. A mark was set up, and Allan was chosen umpire. After firing a number of shots, they laid down their fire-locks, when Allan asked the reason of it?“ Because our shot is all done,” was the reply. “But, surely, you have one charge left for me, to try my skill.” “Not one,” said they. ”Then,” replied Allan, briskly, “it is time to be off,” and, springing upon the wall, he disappeared in a moment.—The soldiers, amazed at his boldness and their own folly, did not attempt to follow.

Allan hastened across the county of Durham, to pay a visit to his uncle at Holystone, with whom he stopped a fortnight, after which he proceeded to Hatbottle, where he was kindly entertained by a farmer. A schoolmaster boarding in the same house, consented to share his bed with Allan, as it rained heavily. Allan arose early, and took leave, not forgetting to take the schoolmaster’s watch with him. The farmer, exasperated at such a