Page:History of John M'Pherson, Dick Balf, and Gilder Roy.pdf/16



16                     without doing any harm, and Balf took care to secure the other. The groom was the first that came to assist his mas- ter, who seeing him in such danger, went up resolutely, thinking to seize Dick, and hold him until his fellow servant came up                     to his assistance, but he had the misfor- tune to be shot dead on the spot in ma- king the attempt. The general seeing his horse and man both dead, and Balf continue his resolution to conquer or die, consented to let bin take 80 guineas, a                     diamond ring, and a gold watch, with which he rode off, and left the General to ride the groom's horse. Not for this action alone, but several full as bold and daring, Balf by this time was become so notorious, that a reward of L 500 from the government, by procla- mation, was offered for the taking of him. This encouraged several people to join themselves in parties to go in quest of                     him; but he being timely informed of it, employed some spies whom he kept in                     fee, to give him notice beforehand of                      their coming out. Accordingly, one morning, as he sat by the fire in one of                     his houses of rendezvous, he had notice that nine men were in pursuit of him,