Page:History of James Allan.pdf/9

 time giving himself up to despair, but for the kind interposition of a female, who from pity relieved him.

On reaching Carlisle, he was led by a crowd to the Market-place, where he discovered that four stout tinklers had stolen a game-cock; but, having placed their backs to a wall, were laying about them so unmercifully that none dared to approach them. Allan suspecting they might be some of his friends, began capering and dancing, and twirling his stick around his head: his antic tricks soon attracted the attention of the crowd, and Allan continued his manoeuvres until he thought his companions had got fairly off. He himself took the rood to Whitehaven, where he was joined by no less a personage than the Gipsy Queen,, mounted upon a strong galloway; and had the satisfaction of being introduced by her to a party of Gipsies, who were journeying on to a general encampment. Amongst them was a lively interesting girl, an adroit thief, and a most lucky fortuneteller, who agreed to trust her fate with Allan, and soon convinced him that he was a mere bungler in the art of thieving; she also taught him many legerdemain tricks which he afterwards practised with great advantage. Having agreed to accompany his new mistress into Westmoreland, on reaching Appleby, they took lodgings at a small public-house. Allan’s female partner went off for a few days into the country, while Allan continued to exercise his profession, and was liberally rewarded. On returning home one night, he discovered his wife Jean in the house. He concealed his surprise, ordered his supper, and taking a candle, proceeded leisurely up to his room, packed up his pipes and his clothes, and descended gently from the window. Knowing that both the landlord and hostler were drunk, he borrowed the horse of a London traveller, and rode off. Before reaching Penrith, he contrived so to alter the appearance of the horse, that even his owner could not have sworn to him. Having exchanged the horse for a galloway and ten guineas, he set off across the country, resolving to visit Ireland. At Whitehaven he sold his galloway and sailed for Dublin.

Amongst the passengers was a gentleman fond of music, who was quite enchanted with Allan’s execution