And here they fairly threw off all reserve, bit the _nail_, and turned the heel on _Roger_; and a thousand stories they told of _him_ and his friends to the _deputy_. First, _Roger_ had no interest at all; then he had so much that he was _dangerous_; then _Gimcrack_ was the best _bridge-builder_ in the world; _Roger_ was for having _every bridge_ and _market-house_ in the county fall to decay, from the desire he had to see the county ruined, and the people _sink_ or _swim_ for his diversion. The Deputy, who was really a good-natured man, pity’d the poor people, and joined to take them out of _Roger_’s hands; he spoke to his acquaintance of the _grand-jury_; and tho’ he did not _reflect_ on _Roger_, yet he mainly magnify’d the _Parson_, and wished they would take any directions _he_ should _send them_, as he could not go among them himself, which, he _said_, and _Pistol_ swore, should be for their good. So, on both sides, they mustered their forces, and _Roger_, on the _poll_, had just two in three of his side, and _Gimcrack_ went to pot. This was a cruel blow, but chiefly bore hard on _young Hopeful_; if ever he had a chance for the _chair_ at quarter-sessions, it was now over; the whole county saw the design on both sides. The _Parson_ and _Hopeful_ wanted to rule the county, who, for aught we know, might do it well; but we were _sure Roger_ had done so. He wanted nothing, and asked nothing for himself; one of his sons got a second-hand pair of _red breeches_ and _white stockings_, which he paid more for than if he had bought them in _Monmouth-street_. He got a friend of his made an _exciseman_; but when he asked for a _constable’s place_ he was refused. However, he went on in the old track, and _Hopeful_ and the _Parson_ redoubled their efforts to _oust_ him. One plot they laid upon another, and trick upon trick. _Pistol_ (who was _pretty much a stranger_) wondered none of them succeeded; but they wanted somebody to tell them, that tho’ _tricks_ may get the better of a _trickster_, they are lost and squandered on one who has no _tricks_. If a man takes to _corners_, or _short turns_, you may _meet_ him on a short turn, or find him in a corner; but how the D——l will you catch him if he never comes there? _Roger_ walked the _turnpike_ and the _middle stone_ of the street. _Hopeful_, _Pistol_, and the _Parson_, were all _peeping_ to watch him. Now, says _Hopeful_, he’ll come down this _bye turn_. Here, says the _Parson_, down this alley, as it’s the _nearest way_. _Pistol_ was sure of him at the _turn-stile_. But _Roger_ had found, by _constant walking_, that farthest about was the _ready way home_. When they saw him _fairly_ passed, they _looked_ at one another like a sett of _rooks_, who have lost their money to a _fair gamester_; and since they could not _take him in_, or make any thing of the game they first took in hand, they began to attack his _friends_ and _cronies_. One had a _little allowance_ from the county for something