but was not so fortunate as to accomplish his object. Just as he had attained the upper end of

the lane, where the underwood was thickest, four men sprung upon him, even as his fears had anticipated, two from each side of the road, and seized him so fast, that resistance, if practicable, would have been too late—"Surrender your charge! said one of them; "we are the deliverers of the commonwealth, who ease every man of his burthen,"

"You should not ease me of mine so lightly," muttered Gurth, whose surly honesty could not be tamed even by the pressure of immediate violence,—"had I it but in my power to give three strokes in its defence."

"We shall see that presently," said the robber; and, speaking to his companions, he added, "bring along the knave. I see he would have his head broken, as well as his purse cut, and so be let blood in two veins at once."

Gurth was hurried along agreeably to this mandate, and having been dragged somewhat roughly over the bank, on the left-hand side of