Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/58

42 the unwary, which we, upon mature reflection, (after detection of the offenders) frequently consider to partake in a small degree of insanity. Their necessities blind their judgments on such occasions; they mistake the object, and get into trouble, from which they are released only by a hempen habeas corpus. Such a mistake may be compared to the old story of "catching a tartar."

Therefore, it is advisable, to keep a good look out, and especially avoid fellows who are running hard, or who follow you step by step for any length of way. Pull up all at once, regard the motions of the foe, and resolve upon a stout resistance, if you are likely to obtain help in a minute's space, by calling out while you parry the blows, or the endeavour to get you down. If help is not at hand, so as to come up to your assistance in that time, you had better give it in with a good grace, and submit to your fate; for they will but increase their brutality as you rise in your opposition—in case they are not interrupted, or likely to be.

But mark this: provided you make good use of your lungs, and also make a decent stir before you get touched with hand or stick, I'll pound them to bolt in a jiffy; for those sort of gentry have a maxim, "never to give a chance away;"