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"am disposed to be angry with at present but the "fellow who so frighted my little girl here. I had not even time to examine the rascal's person so as to describe him in an advertisement. Can you tell 'me, Sophia, my dear, whether you should know • him again?'

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Indeed, Sir,' replied she,

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I can't be positive; yet now I recollect he had a large mark over one of his eye brows.' I ask pardon, madam,' interupted Jenkinson, who was by, but be so good 6 as to inform me if the fellow wore his own red hair? Yes, I think so,' cried Sophia. And did your honour,' continued he, turning to Sir William, observe the length of his legs?'-I can't be sure of their length,' cried the Baronet, 'but I am convinced of their swiftness; for he outran me, which is what I thought few men in the kingdom could have done. Please your honour,' cried Jenkinson, I know the man: it is certainly the same; the best runner in England; he has beaten Pinwire of Newcastle, Timothy Bax'ter is his name, I know him perfectly, and the very place of his retreat this moment. If your honour will bid Mr. Gaoler let two of his men go with me, 'I'll engage to produce him to you in an hour at 'farthest.' Upon this the gaoler was called, who instantly appearing, Sir William demanded if he knew him. Yes, please your honour,' replied the gaoler, I know Sir William Thornhill well, and every body that knows any thing of him will desire "to know more of him.'-- Well, then,' said the Baronet, my request is, that you will permit this 'man and two of your servants to go upon a message by my authority, and as I am in the commission of the peace I undertake to secure you.'--' Your promise is sufficient,' replied the other, and you may at a minute's warning send them over England 'whenever your houonr thinks fit.'

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In pursuance of the gaoler's compliance, Jenkinson was dispatched in search of Timothy Baxter, while we were amused with the assiduity of our youngest boy Bill, who had just come in and climbed up Sir William's neck in order to kiss him. His mother was immediately going to chastise his familiarity, but the worthy man prevented her; and taking the child all ragged as he was upon his knee, What Bill, you chubby rogue,' cried he, 'do you remember your old friend Burchell? and Dick too, my honest veteran are you here, you 'shall find I have not forgot you.' So saying, he gave each a large piece of gingerbread which the poor fellows ate very heartily, as they had got that morning but a very scanty breakfast.

We now sate down to dinner which was almost cold; but previously, my arm still continuing painful, Sir William wrote a prescription, for he had made the study of bpysic his amusement, and was more than moderately skilled in the profession: this being sent to an apothecary who lived in the place, my arm was dressed and I found almost instantaneous relief. We were waited upon at dinner by the gaoler himself, who was willing to do our guest all the honour in his power. power. But before we had well dined another message was brought from his nephew, desiring permission to appear in order to vindicate his innocence and honour, with which request the Baronet complied and desired Mr. Thornhill to be introduced.

CHAP.

CHAP. XXXI.

Former benevolence now repaid with unexpected interest.

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MR. Thornhill made his appearance with a smile which he seldom wanted, and was going to embrace his uncle, which the other repulsed with an air of disdain. No fawning, Sir, at present,' cried the Baronet, with a look of severity, the only way to 6 my heart is by the road of honour; but here I only 'see complicated instances of falsehood, cowardice, and oppression. How is it, Sir, that this poor 'man, for whom I know you professed a friendship, ' is used thus hardly? His daughter vilely seduced ' as a recompence for his hospitality, and he himself thrown into prison, perhaps but for resenting the 'insult? His son too whom you feared to face as a

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Is it possible, Sir,' interrupted his nephew, that my uncle could object that as a crime, which his repeated instructions alone have persuaded me to ' avoid.'

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• Your rebuke,' cried Sir William, is just; you have acted in this instance prudently and well, though not quite as your father would have done: 6 my brother indeed was the soul of honour; but 'thou-yes you have acted in this instance perfectly right, and it has my warmest approbation.'

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And I hope,' said his nephew, that the rest of my conduct will not be found to deserve censure. 'I appeared, Sir, with this gentleman's daughter at

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'some places of public amusement: thus what was 'levity scandal called by a harsher name, and it was ' reported that I had debauched her. I waited on her 'father in person willing to clear the thing to his satisfaction, and he received me only with insult and ' abuse. As for the rest, with regard to his being ' here, my attorney and steward can best inform you, as I commit the management of business intirely to them. If he has contracted debts and is 'unwilling or even unable to pay them, it is their business to proceed in this manner, and I see no hardship or injustice in pursuing the most legal 'means of redress.'

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'If this,' cried Sir William,' be as you have stated 'it there is nothing unpardonable in your offence; ' and though your conduct might have been more generous in not suffering this gentleman to be oppressed by subordinate tyranny, yet it has been at least equitable.'

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'He cannot contradict a single particular,' replied the 'Squire,' I defy him to do so, and several of my 'servants are ready to attest what I say. Thus Sir,' continued he, finding that I was silent, for in fact I could not contradict him, thus, Sir, my own in'nocence is vindicated; but though at your intreaty I am ready to forgive this gentleman every other offence, yet his attempts to lessen me in your ' esteem, excite a resentment that I cannot govern. 'And this too at a time when his son was actually 'preparing to take away my life; this I say was such 'guilt that I am determined to let the law take its " course. I have here the challenge that was sent 'me, and two witnesses to prove it; one of my servants has been wounded dangerously, and even though my uncle himself should dissuade me, which I know he will not, yet I will see public 'justice done and he shall suffer for it.'

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''Thou monster,' cried my wife, hast thou not had vengeance enough already, but must my poor boy feel thy cruelty? I hope that good Sir William will protect us, for my son is as innocent as a 'child; I am sure he is and never did harm to man.'

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Madam,' replied the good man, your wishes ⚫ for his safety are not greater than mine; but I am sorry to find his guilt too plain; and if my nephew 'persists'-But the appearance of Jenkinson and the gaoler's two servants now called off our attion, who entered hawling in a tall man very genteelly drest, and answering the description already given of the ruffian who had carried off my daughter-— Here,' cried Jenkinson, pulling him in, here we have him; and if ever there was a candidate for " Tyburn this is one.'

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The moment Mr. Thornhill perceived the prisoner and Jenkinson who had him in custody, he seemed to shrink back with terror. His face became pale with conscious guilt, and he would have withdrawn; but Jenkinson, who perceived his design, stopt him. What, 'Squire,' cried he, are you ashamed of your two old acquaintances, Jenkinson and Baxter? but this is the way that all great men forget their friends, though I am resolved we will not forget you. Our prisoner, please your ho'nour,' continued he, turning to Sir William, has already confessed all. This is the gentleman re'ported to be so dangerously wounded; he declares that it was Mr. Thornhill who first put him upon this affair, that he gave him the clothes he now 'wears to appear like a gentleman, and furnished him with the post-chaise. The plan was laid between them that he should carry off the young lady to a place of safety; and that there he should 'threaten and terrify her; but Mr. Thornhill was 'to come in in the mean time, as if by accident, to

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