a book of scoundrels-第8章
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n he would risk his neck upon the road； levying his own tax and imposing his own conditions。 To one of his dauntless resolution an opportunity need never have lacked； yet he owed his first preferment to a happy accident。 Surprised one evening in a drunken brawl； he was hustled into the Poultry Counter； and there made acquaintance over a fresh bottle with Robert Allen； one of the chief rogues in the Park； and a ruffian； who had mastered every trick in the game of plunder。 A dexterous cly…faker； an intrepid blade； Allen had also the keenest eye for untested talent； and he detected Hind's shining qualities after the first glass。 No sooner had they paid the price of release； than Hind was admitted of his comrade's gang； he took the oath of fealty； and by way of winning his spurs was bid to hold up a traveller on Shooter's Hill。 Granted his choice of a mount； he straightway took the finest in the stable； with that keen perception of horse…flesh which never deserted him； and he confronted his first victim in the liveliest of humours。 There was no falter in his voice； no hint of inexperience in his manner； when he shouted the battle…cry： ‘Stand and deliver！' The horseman； fearful of his life； instantly surrendered a purse of ten sovereigns； as to the most practised assailant on the road。 Whereupon Hind； with a flourish of ancient courtesy； gave him twenty shillings to bear his charges。 ‘This；' said he； ‘is for handsale sake '； and thus they parted in mutual compliment and content。
Allen was overjoyed at his novice's prowess。 ‘Did you not see；' he cried to his companions； ‘how he robbed him with a grace？' And well did the trooper deserve his captain's compliment； for his art was perfect from the first。 In bravery as in gallantry he knew no rival； and he plundered with so elegant a style； that only a churlish victim could resent the extortion。 He would as soon have turned his back upon an enemy as demand a purse uncovered。 For every man he had a quip； for every woman a compliment； nor did he ever conceal the truth that the means were for him as important as the end。 Though he loved money； he still insisted that it should be yielded in freedom and good temper； and while he emptied more coaches than any man in England； he was never at a loss for admirers。
Under Allen he served a brilliant apprenticeship。 Enrolled as a servant； he speedily sat at the master's right hand； and his nimble brains devised many a pretty campaign。 For a while success dogged the horse…hoofs of the gang； with wealth came immunity； and not one of the warriors had the misfortune to look out upon the world through a grate。 They robbed with dignity； even with splendour。 Now they would drive forth in a coach and four； carrying with them a whole armoury of offensive weapons； now they would take the road apparelled as noblemen； and attended at a discreet distance by their proper servants。 But recklessness brought the inevitable disaster； and it was no less a personage than Oliver Cromwell who overcame the hitherto invincible Allen。 A handful of the gang attacked Oliver on his way from Huntingdon； but the marauders were outmatched； and the most of them were forced to surrender。 Allen； taken red…handed； swung at Tyburn； Hind； with his better mount and defter horsemanship； rode clear away。
The loss of his friend was a lesson in caution； and henceforth Hind resolved to follow his craft in solitude。 He had embellished his native talent with all the instruction that others could impart； and he reflected that he who rode alone neither ran risk of discovery nor had any need to share his booty。 Thus he began his easy； untrammelled career； making time and space of no account by his rapid； fearless journeys。 Now he was prancing the moors of Yorkshire； now he was scouring the plain between Gloucester and Tewkesbury； but wherever he rode； he had a purse in his pocket and a jest on his tongue。 To recall his prowess is to ride with him （in fancy） under the open sky along the fair； beaten road； to put up with him at the busy； white posthouse； to drink unnumbered pints of mulled sack with the round…bellied landlord； to exchange boastful stories over the hospitable fire； and to ride forth in the morning with the joyous uncertainty of travel upon you。 Failure alone lay outside his experience； and he presently became at once the terror and the hero of England。
Not only was his courage conspicuous； luck also was his constant companion； and a happy bewitchment protected him for three years against the possibility of harm。 He had been lying at Hatfield； at the George Inn； and set out in the early morning for London。 As he neared the town…gate； an old beldame begged an alms of him； and though Hind； not liking her ill…favoured visage； would have spurred forward； the beldame's glittering eye held his horse motionless。 ‘Good woman；' cried Hind； flinging her a crown； ‘I am in haste； pray let me pass。' ‘Sir；' answered the witch； ‘three days I have awaited your coming。 Would you have me lose my labour now？' And with Hind's assent the sphinx delivered her message： ‘Captain Hind；' said she； ‘your life is beset with constant danger； and since from your birth I have wished you well； my poor skill has devised a perfect safeguard。' With this she gave him a small box containing what might have been a sundial or compass。 ‘Watch this star；' quoth she； ‘and when you know not your road； follow its guidance。 Thus you shall be preserved from every peril for the space of three years。 Thereafter； if you still have faith in my devotion； seek me again； and I will renew the virtue of the charm。'
Hind took the box joyfully； but when he turned to murmur a word of gratitude； the witch struck his nag's flanks with a white wand； the horse leapt vehemently forward； and Hind saw his benefactress no more。 Henceforth； however； a warning voice spoke to him as plainly as did the demon to Socrates； and had he but obeyed the beldame's admonition； he might have escaped a violent death。 For he passed the last day of the third year at the siege of Youghal； where； deprived of happy guidance； he was seriously wounded； and whence he presently regained England to his own undoing。
So long as he kept to the road； his life was one long comedy。 His wit and address were inexhaustible； and fortune never found him at a loss。 He would avert suspicion with the tune of a psalm； as when； habited like a pious shepherd； he broke a traveller's head with his crook； and deprived him of his horse。 An early adventure was to force a pot…valiant parson； who had drunk a cup too much at a wedding； into a rarely farcical situation。 Hind； having robbed two gentlemen's servants of a round sum； went ambling along the road until he encountered a parson。 ‘Sir；' said he； ‘I am closely pursued by robbers。 You； I dare swear； will not stand by and see me plundered。' Before the parson could protest； he thrust a pistol into his hand； and bade him fire it at the first comer； while he rode off to raise the county。 Meanwhile the rifled travellers came up with the parson； who； straightway； mistaking them for thieves； fired without effect； and then； riding forward； flung the pistol in the face of the nearest。 Thus the parson of the parish was dragged before the magistrate； while Hind； before his dupe could furnish an explanation； had placed many a mile between himself and his adversary。
Though he could on occasion show a clean pair of heels； Hind was never lacking in valiance； and； another day； meeting a traveller with a hundred pounds in his pocket； he challenged him to fight there and then； staked his own horse against the money； and declared that he should win who drew first blood。 ‘If I am the conqueror；' said the magnanimous Captain； ‘I will give you ten pounds for your journey。 If you are favoured of fortune； you shall give me your servant's horse。' The terms were instantly accepted； and in two minutes Hind had run his adversary through the sword…arm。 But finding that his victim was but a poor squire going to London to pay his composition； he not only returned his money； but sought him out a surgeon； and gave him the best dinner the countryside could afford。
Thus it was his pleasure to act as a provid
