Nowthesemenupseteverything。Havingbeenamongwrestlerssomuchasmydutycompelledmetobe，andhavinglearnedthenecessityoftherestwhichfollowstheconflict，andtherightofdiscussionwhichallpeoplehavetopaytheirsixpencetoenter；andhowtheyobtrudethisright，andtheirwisdom，uponthemanwhohaslaboured，untilheforgetsalltheworkhedid，andbeginstothinkthattheydidit；havingsomeknowledgeofthissortofthing，andthefluxofmindsswimminginliquor，Iforesawabrawl，asplainlyasifitwereBearStreetinBarnstaple。
Andabrawltherewas，withoutanyerror，exceptofthemenwhohittheirfriends，andthosewhodefendedtheirenemies。Mypartnersinbreakfastandbeer-cansworethatIwasnoprisoner，butthebestandmostloyalsubject，andthefinest-heartedfellowtheyhadeverthelucktomeetwith。WhereasthemenfromthelinhaysworethatIwasarebelmiscreant；andhavemetheywould，witharope’s-endready，inspiteofevery[violentlanguage]whohadgotdrunkatmyexpense，andbeenmisledbymy[strongword]lies。
Whilethisfightwasgoingonanditsmereoccurrenceshows，perhaps，thatmyconversationinthosedayswasnotentirelydespicable——elsewhyshouldmynewfriendsfightforme，whenIhadpaidfortheale，andthereforewonthewrongtenseofgratitude？itwasinmypoweratanymomenttotakehorseandgo。Andthiswouldhavebeenmywisestplan，andaverygreatsavingofmoney；butsomehowIfeltasifitwouldbeameanthingtoslipoffso。EvenwhileIwashesitating，andthemenwerebreakingeachother’sheads，asuperiorofficerrodeup，withhissworddrawn，andhisfaceonfire。
’What，mylambs，mylambs!’hecried，smitingwiththeflatofhissword；’isthishowyouwastemytimeandmypurse，whenyououghttobecatchingahundredprisoners，worthtenpoundsapiecetome？Whoisthisyoungfellowwehavehere？Speakup，sirrah；whatartthou，andhowmuchwillthygoodmotherpayforthee？’
’Mymotherwillpaynaughtforme，’Ianswered；whilethelambsfellback，andgloweredatoneanother：’sopleaseyourworship，Iamnorebel；butanhonestfarmer，andwell-provedofloyalty。’
’Ha，ha；afarmerartthou？Thosefellowsalwayspaythebest。Goodfarmer，cometoyonbarrentree；thoushaltmakeitfruitful。’
ColonelKirkemadeasigntohismen，andbeforeI
couldthinkofresistance，stoutnewropeswereflungaroundme；andwiththreemenoneithersideIwasledalongverypainfully。AndnowIsaw，andrepenteddeeplyofmycarelessfolly，instoppingwiththoseboon-companions，insteadofbeingfaraway。Butthenewnessoftheirmannerstome，andtheirmodeofregardingtheworlddifferingsomuchfrommineown，aswellastheflavouroftheirtobacco，hadmademequiteforgetmydutytothefarmandtomyself。Yetmethoughttheywouldbetendertome，afterallourspeeches：howthenwasIdisappointed，whenthemenwhohaddrunkmybeer，drewonthosegrievousropes，twiceashardasthemenIhadbeenatstrifewith!Yetthismayhavebeenfromnoillwill；butsimplythathavingfallenundersuspicionoflaxity，theywerecompelled，inself-defence，nowtobeover-zealous。
Nevertheless，howeverpureandgodlymightbetheirmotives，Ibeheldmyselfinagrievouscase，andlikelytogettheworstofit。ForthefaceoftheColonelwashardandsternasablockofbogwoodoak；andthoughthemenmightpitymeandthinkmeunjustlyexecuted，yettheymustobeytheirorders，orthemselvesbeputtodeath。ThereforeIaddressedmyselftotheColonel，inamostingratiatingmanner；
begginghimnottosullythegloryofhisvictory，anddwellinguponmypureinnocence，andevengoodservicetoourlordtheKing。ButColonelKirkeonlygavecommandthatIshouldbesmitteninthemouth；whichofficeBob，whomIhadflungsohardoutofthelinhay，performedwithgreatzealandefficiency。Butbeingawareofthecomingsmack，Ithrustforthapairofteeth；uponwhichtheknucklesofmygoodfriendmadeamelancholyshipwreck。
Itisnotinmypowertotellhalfthethoughtsthatmovedme，whenwecametothefataltree，andsawtwomenhangingtherealready，asinnocentperhapsasI
was，andhenceforthentirelyharmless。ThoughorderedbytheColoneltolooksteadfastlyuponthem，Icouldnotbeartodoso；uponwhichhecalledmeapaltrycoward，andpromisedmybreechestoanymanwhowouldspituponmycountenance。ThisvilethingBob，beingangeredperhapsbythesmartingwoundofhisknuckles，bravelysteppedforwardtodoforme，trustingnodoubttotheropeIwasledwith。But，unluckilyasitprovedforhim，myrightarmwasfreeforamoment；andtherewithIdealthimsuchablow，thatheneverspakeagain。ForthisthingIhaveoftengrieved；buttheprovocationwasverysoretotheprideofayoungman；
andItrustthatGodhasforgivenme。Atthesoundandsightofthatbitterstroke，theothermendrewback；andColonelKirke，nowblackinthefacewithfuryandvexation，gaveordersfortoshootme，andcastmeintotheditchhardby。Themenraisedtheirpieces，andpointedatme，waitingforthewordtofire；andI，beingquiteovercomebythehurryoftheseevents，andquiteunpreparedtodieyet，couldonlythinkallupsidedownaboutLorna，andmymother，andwonderwhateachwouldsaytoit。Ispreadmyhandsbeforemyeyes，notbeingsobraveassomemen；andhoping，insomefoolishway，tocovermyheartwithmyelbows。Iheardthebreathofallaround，asifmyskullwereasounding-board；andknewevenhowthedifferentmenwerefingeringtheirtriggers。Andacoldsweatbrokealloverme，astheColonel，prolonginghisenjoyment，beganslowlytosay，’Fire。’
Butwhilehewasyetdwellingonthe’F，’thehoofsofahorsedashedoutontheroad，andhorseandhorsemanflungthemselvesbetwixtmeandthegunmuzzles。SonarrowlywasIsavedthatonemancouldnotcheckhistrigger：hismusketwentoff，andtheballstruckthehorseonthewithers，andscaredhimexceedingly。Hebegantolashoutwithhisheelsallaround，andtheColonelwasgladtokeepclearofhim；andthemenmadeexcusetolowertheirguns，notreallywishingtoshootme。
’Hownow，CaptainStickles？’criedKirke，themoreangrybecausehehadshownhiscowardice；’dareyou，sir，tocomebetwixtmeandmylawfulprisoner？’
’Nay，hearkenonemoment，Colonel，’repliedmyoldfriendJeremy；andhisdamagedvoicewasthesweetestsoundIhadheardformanyaday；’foryourownsake，hearken。’Helookedsofullofmomentoustidings，thatColonelKirkemadeasigntohismennottoshootmetillfurtherorders；andthenhewentasidewithStickles，sothatinspiteofallmyanxietyIcouldnotcatchwhatpassedbetweenthem。ButIfanciedthatthenameoftheLordChief-JusticeJeffreyswasspokenmorethanonce，andwithemphasisanddeference。
’ThenIleavehiminyourhands，CaptainStickles，’
saidKirkeatlast，sothatallmighthearhim；andthoughthenewswasgoodforme，thesmileofbaffledmalicemadehisdarkfacelookmosthideous；’andI
shallholdyouanswerableforthecustodyofthisprisoner。’
’ColonelKirke，Iwillanswerforhim，’MasterSticklesreplied，withagravebow，andonehandonhisbreast：
’JohnRidd，youaremyprisoner。Followme，JohnRidd。’
Uponthat，thosepreciouslambsflockedaway，leavingtheropestillaroundme；andsomewereglad，andsomeweresorry，nottoseemeswinging。Beingfreeofmyarmsagain，ItouchedmyhattoColonelKirke，asbecamehisrankandexperience；buthedidnotcondescendtoreturnmyshortsalutation，havingespiedinthedistanceaprisoner，outofwhomhemightmakemoney。
IwrungthehandofJeremyStickles，forhistruthandgoodness；andhealmostweptforsincehiswoundhehadbeenaweakenedmanasheanswered，’Turnforturn，John。YousavedmylifefromtheDoones；andbythemercyofGod，Ihavesavedyoufromafarworsecompany。LetyoursisterAnnieknowit。’
NowKickumswasnotlikeWinnie，anymorethanamanislikeawoman；andsohehadnotfollowedmyfortunes，exceptathisowndistance。Nodoubtbutwhathefeltacertaininterestinme；buthisinterestwasnotdevotion；andmanmightgohiswayandbehanged，ratherthanhorsewouldmeethardship。
Therefore，seeingthingstobebad，andhismasterinvolvedintrouble，whatdidthishorsedobutstartfortheeaseandcomfortofPlover’sBarrows，andtheplentifulrationofoatsabidinginhisownmanger。
ForthisIdonotblamehim。Itisthemannerofmankind。
ButIcouldnothelpbeingveryuneasyatthethoughtofmymother’sdiscomfortandworry，whensheshouldspythisgoodhorsecominghome，withoutanymaster，orrider，andIalmosthopedthathemightbecaughtalthoughhewasworthatleasttwentypoundsbysomeoftheKing’stroopers，ratherthanfindhiswayhome，andspreaddistressamongourpeople。Yet，knowinghisnature，Idoubtedifanycouldcatch，orcatchingwouldkeephim。
JeremySticklesassuredme，aswetooktheroadtoBridgwater，thattheonlychanceformylifeifI
stillrefusedtoflywastoobtainanorderforthwith，formydespatchtoLondon，asasuspectedpersonindeed，butnotfoundinopenrebellion，andbelievedtobeunderthepatronageofthegreatLordJeffreys。
’For，’saidhe，’inafewhourstimeyouwouldfallintothehandsofLordFeversham，whohaswonthisfight，withoutseeingit，andwhohasreturnedtobedagain，tohavehisbreakfastmorecomfortably。NowhemaynotbequitesosavageperhapsasColonelKirke，norfindsomuchsportingibbeting；butheisequallypitiless，andhispricenodoubtwouldbehigher。’
’Iwillpaynopricewhatever，’Ianswered，’neitherwillIfly。AnhouragoneIwouldhavefledforthesakeofmymother，andthefarm。ButnowthatIhavebeentakenprisoner，andmynameisknown，ifIfly，thefarmisforfeited；andmymotherandsistermuststarve。Moreover，Ihavedonenoharm；IhavebornenoweaponsagainsttheKing，nordesiredthesuccessofhisenemies。Ilikenotthatthesonofabona-robashouldbeKingofEngland；neitherdoIcountthePapistsanyworsethanweare。Iftheyhaveaughttotrymefor，Iwillstandmytrial。’
’ThentoLondonthoumustgo，myson。Thereisnosuchthingastrialhere：wehangthegoodfolkwithoutit，whichsavesthemmuchanxiety。Butquickenthystep，goodJohn；IhaveinfluencewithLordChurchill，andwemustcontrivetoseehim，eretheforeignerfallstoworkagain。LordChurchillisamanofsense，andimprisonsnothingbuthismoney。’
Wewereluckyenoughtofindthisnobleman，whohassincebecomesofamousbyhisforeignvictories。Hereceiveduswithgreatcivility；andlookedatmewithmuchinterest，beingatallandfineyoungmanhimself，butnottocomparewithmeinsize，althoughfarbetterfavoured。Ilikedhisfacewellenough，butthoughttherewassomethingfalseaboutit。Heputmeafewkeenquestions，suchasamannotassuredofhonestymighthavefoundhardtoanswer；andhestoodinaveryuprightattitude，makingthemostofhisfigure。
Isawnothingtobeproudof，atthemoment，inthisinterview；butsincethegreatDukeofMarlboroughrosetothetopofglory，Ihavetriedtoremembermoreabouthimthanmyconsciencequitebacksup。HowshouldIknowthatthismanwouldbeforemostofourkingdominfive-and-twentyyearsorso；andnotknowing，whyshouldIheedhim，exceptformyownpocket？Nevertheless，Ihavebeensocross-questioned——farworsethanbyyoungLordChurchill——aboutHisGracetheDukeofMarlborough，andwhathesaidtome，andwhatIsaidthen，andhowHisGracerepliedtothat，andwhetherhesmiledlikeanotherman，orscreweduphislipslikeabuttonasourparishtailorsaidofhim，andwhetherIknewfromtheturnofhisnosethatnoFrenchmancouldstandbeforehim：alltheseinquirieshaveworriedmeso，eversincetheBattleofBlenheim，thatiftailorswouldonlyprintuponwaistcoats，Iwouldgivedoublepriceforavestbearingthisinscription，’NoinformationcanbegivenabouttheDukeofMarlborough。’
NowthisgoodLordChurchill——foronemightcallhimgood，bycomparisonwiththeverybadpeoplearoundhim——grantedwithoutanylonghesitationtheorderformysafedeliverancetotheCourtofKing’sBenchatWestminster；andStickles，whohadtoreportinLondon，wasempoweredtoconveyme，andmadeanswerableforproducingme。Thisarrangementwouldhavebeenentirelytomyliking，althoughthetimeofyearwasbadforleavingPlover’sBarrowsso；butnomanmayquitechoosehistimes，andonthewhileIwouldhavebeenquitecontenttovisitLondon，ifmymothercouldbewarnedthatnothingwasamisswithme，onlyamild，andasonemightsay，nominalcaptivity。Andtopreventheranxiety，IdidmybesttosendaletterthroughgoodSergeantBloxham，ofwhomIheardasquarteredwithDumbarton’sregimentatChedzuy。Butthatregimentwasawayinpursuit；andIwasforcedtoentrustmylettertoamanwhosaidthatheknewhim，andacceptedashillingtoseetoit。
Forfearofanyunpleasantchange，wesetforthatonceforLondon；andtrulythankfulmayIbethatGodinHismercysparedmethesightofthecruelandbloodyworkwithwhichthewholecountryreekedandhowledduringthenextfortnight。Ihaveheardthingsthatsetmyhaironend，andmademeloathegoodmeatfordays；butImakeapointofsettingdownonlythethingswhichI
sawdone；andinthisparticularcase，notmanywillquarrelwithmydecision。Enough，therefore，thatwerodeonforStickleshadfoundmeahorseatlastasfarasWells，wherewesleptthatnight；andbeingjoinedinthemorningbyseveraltroopersandorderlies，wemadeaslowbutsafejourneytoLondon，bywayofBathandReading。