blessing in something more substantial than words 'Clinker （said
he）； I am so well convinced； both of your honesty and courage；
that I am resolved to make you my life…guardman on the highway。'
He was accordingly provided with a case of pistols； and a carbine
to be flung a…cross his shoulders； and every other preparation
being made； we set out last Thursday； at seven in the morning； my
uncle； with the three women in the coach； Humphry； well mounted
on a black gelding bought for his use； myself a…horseback；
attended by my new valet； Mr Dutton； an exceeding coxcomb； fresh
from his travels； whom I have taken upon trial The fellow wears
a solitaire； uses paint； and takes rappee with all the grimace of
a French marquis。 At present； however； he is in a ridingdress；
jack…boots； leather breeches； a scarlet waistcoat； with gold
binding； a laced hat； a hanger； a French posting…whip in his
hand； and his hair en queue。
Before we had gone nine miles； my horse lost one of his shoes； so
that I was obliged to stop at Barnet to have another； while the
coach proceeded at an easy pace over the common。 About a mile
short of Hatfield； the postilions； stopping the carriage； gave
notice to Clinker that there were two suspicious fellows a…horseback；
at the end of a lane； who semed waiting to attack the
coach。 Humphry forthwith apprised my uncle； declaring he would
stand by him to the last drop of his blood； and unflinging his
carbine； prepared for action。 The 'squire had pistols in the
pockets of the coach； and resolved to make use of them directly；
but he was effectually prevented by his female companions； who
flung themselves about his neck； and screamed in concert At that
instant； who should come up at a hand…gallop； but Martin； the
highway…man； who； advancing to the coach； begged the ladies would
compose themselves for a moment then； desiring Clinker to follow
him to the charge； he pulled a pistol out of his bosom； and they
rode up together to give battle to the rogues； who； having fired
at a great distance； fled across the common。 They were in pursuit
of the fugitives when I came up； not a little alarmed at the
shrieks in the coach； where I found my uncle in a violent rage；
without his periwig； struggling to disentangle himself from Tabby
and the other two； and swearing with great vociferation。 Before I
had time to interpose； Martin and Clinker returned from the
pursuit； and the former payed his compliments with great
politeness； giving us to understand； that the fellows had
scampered off； and that he believed they were a couple of raw
'prentices from London。 He commended Clinker for his courage； and
said； if we would give him leave； he would have the honour to
accompany us as far as Stevenage； where he had some business。
The 'squire； having recollected and adjusted himself； was the
first to laugh at his own situation： but it was not without
difficulty； that Tabby's arms could be untwisted from his neck；
Liddy's teeth chattered； and Jenkins was threatened with a fit as
usual。 I had communicated to my uncle the character of Martin； as
it was described by the constable； and he was much struck with
its singularity He could not suppose the fellow had any design
on our company； which was so numerous and well armed； he
therefore thanked him； for the service he had just done them；
said he would be glad of his company； and asked him to dine with
us at Hatfield。 This invitation might not have been agreeable to
the ladies； had they known the real profession of our guest； but
this was a secret to all； except my uncle and myself。 Mrs Tabitha；
however； would by no means consent to proceed with a case of
loaded pistols in the coach； and they were forthwith discharged
in complaisance to her and the rest of the women。
Being gratified in this particular； she became remarkably
goodhumoured； and at dinner behaved in the most affable manner to
Mr Martin； with whose polite address and agreeable conversation
she seemed to be much taken。 After dinner； the landlord accosting
me in the yard； asked with a significant look； if the gentleman
that rode the sorrel belonged to our company？ I understand his
meaning； but answered no； that he had come up with us on the
common； and helped us to drive away two fellows； that looked like
highwaymen He nodded three times distinctly； as much as to say；
he knows his cue。 Then he inquired； if one of those men was
mounted on a bay mare； and the other on a chestnut gelding with a
white streak down his forehead？ and being answered in the
affirmative； he assured me they had robbed three post…chaises
this very morning I inquired； in my turn； if Mr Martin was of
his acquaintance； and； nodding thrice again； he answered； that he
had seen the gentleman。
Before we left Hatfield； my uncle； fixing his eyes on Martin with
such expression as is more easily conceived than described；
asked； if he often travelled that road？ and he replied with a
look which denoted his understanding the question； that he very
seldom did business in that part of the country。 In a word； this
adventurer favoured us with his company to the neighbourhood of
Stevenage； where he took his leave of the coach and me； in very
polite terms； and turned off upon a crossroad； that led to a
village on the left At supper； Mrs Tabby was very full in the
praise of Mr Martin's good…sense and good…breeding； and seemed to
regret that she had not a further opportunity to make some
experiment upon his affection。 In the morning； my uncle was not a
little surprised to receive； from the waiter a billet couched in
these words
'SIR；
I could easily perceive from your looks； when I had the honour to
converse with you at Hatfield； that my character is not unknown
to you； and； I dare say you won't think it strange； that I should
be glad to change my present way of life； for any other honest
occupation； let it be ever so humble； that will afford me bread
in moderation； and sleep in safety Perhaps you may think I
flatter； when I say； that from the moment I was witness to your
generous concern in the cause of your servant； I conceived a
particular esteem and veneration for your person； and yet what I
say is true。 I should think myself happy； if I could be admitted
into your protection and service； as house…steward； clerk；
butler； or bailiff； for either of which places I think myself
tolerably well qualified； and； sure I am； I should not be found
deficient in gratitude and fidelity At the same time； I am very
sensible how much you must deviate from the common maxims of
discretion； even in putting my professions to the trial； but I
don't look upon you as a person that thinks in the ordinary
stile； and the delicacy of my situation； will； I know； justify
this address to a heart warmed with beneficence and compassion
Understanding you are going pretty far north； I shall take an
opportunity to throw myself in your way again； before you reach
the borders of Scotland； and； I hope； by that time； you will have
taken into consideration； the truly distressful case of；
honoured sir；
your very humble； and devoted servant；
EDWARD MARTIN'
The 'squire； having perused this letter； put it into my hand；
without saying a syllable； and when I had read it we looked at
each other in silence。 From a certain sparkling in his eyes； I
discovered there was more in his heart； than he cared to express
with his tongue； in favour of poor Martin； and this was precisely
my own feeling； which he did not fail to discern； by the same
means of communication 'What shall we do （said he） to save this
poor sinner from the gallows； and make him a useful member of the
commonwealth； and yet the proverb says； Save a thief from the
gallows； and he'll cut your throat。' I told him I really believed
Martin was capable of giving the proverb the lie； and that I
should heartily concur in any step he might take in favour of his
solicitation。 We mutually resolved to deliberate upon the
subject； and； in the mean time； proceeded on our journey。 The
roads； having been broken up by the heavy rains in the spring；
were so rough； that although we travelled very slowly； the
jolting occasioned such pain； to my uncle； that he was become
exceedingly peevish when we arrived at this place； which lies
about eight miles from the postroad； between Wetherby and
Boroughbridge。
Harrigate…water； so celebrated for its efficacy in the scurvy and
other distempers； is supplied from a copious spring； in the
hollow of a wild common； round which； a good many houses have
been built for the convenience of the drinkers； though few of
them are inhabited。 Most of the company lodge at some distance；
in five separate inns； situated in different parts of the
commons； from whence they go every morning to the well； in their
own carriages。 The lodgers of each inn form a distinct society；
that eat together； and there is a commodious public room； where
they breakfast in disabille； at separate tables； from eight
o'clock till eleven； as they chance or chuse to come in Here
also they drink tea in the afternoon； and play at cards or dance
in the evening。 One custom； however； prevails； which I looked
upon as a solecism in politeness。 The ladies treat with tea in
their turns； and even girls of sixteen are not exempted from this
shameful imposition There is a public ball by subscription every
night at one of the houses； to which all the company from the
others are admitted by tickets； and； indeed； Harrigate treads
upon the heels of Bath； in the articles of gaiety and
dissipation with this difference； however； that here we are more
sociable and familiar。 One of the inns is already full up to the
very garrets； having no less than fifty lodgers； and as many
servants。 Our family does not exceed thirty…six； and I should be
sorry to see the number augmented； as our accommodations won't
admit of much increase。
At present； the company is more agreeable than one could expect
from an accidental assemblage of persons； who are utter strangers
to one another There seems to be a general disposition among us
to maintain good…fellowship； and promote the purposes of
humanity； in favour of those who come hither on the score of
health。 I