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150 "Nay, the young officer does but his duty in running us down. And I don't want to see no harm come to him, though 'twas he shot me through the leg. So we can but keep clear of him, 'tis all I want. Miss Joan' ud be main sorry any harm should come to him; and for her sake I'd have no hand in doing him a hurt."

"Zoons, then we'll do without thee, Tom, when we give the lubber his deserts!" said Robin. "Though what you should want to spare him for I know not, since you're sweet on Ann; and 'tis ten chances to one she'll turn sheep's eyes upon him if we don't settle his business while she's hot against him, as she is now."

"Ay, Tom," said the mean-looking Bill, coming close up to him, and sniggering in his face, "you've already got Ben to settle with; you don't want no more rivals, my lad. You'd best let us do her bidding, and carry him off and let him down the monks' well, when he shows his nose up here again!"

"I won't have no hand in it, mates," said Tom, stubbornly. "I don't mind a fight, man to man; I like it when my blood's up. But to land a man over the head when he's alone,