[51] Sadler's Wells opened at Easter, April 3, 1809, and in the pantomime of "Fashion's Fool; or, The Aquatic Harlequin," Grimaldi played Clown, and sang the songs of "Odd Fish," and the "Whip Club." On Whit Monday, May 22, he played the Wild Man, in the Aquatic Melodramatic Romance of "The Wild Man: or, Water Pageant." On July 31, a new harlequinade, called "Castles in the Air; or, Columbine Cowslip," was produced. Grimaldi played Clown, with the Song of "Looney's Lamentation for Miss Margery Muggins," and a quartetto caricatura, called "Cut and Come Again; or, The Clown's Ordinary." On Mrs. C. Dibdin's night, October 16, Grimaldi, in compliment to her, sang three new songs, in addition to those pertaining to "Castles in the Air." CHAPTER XVI. 1809. His Adventure on Highgate Hill, and its consequences. It was a fine, clear night; there was no moon, but the stars were shining brightly; the air was soft and fresh, and very pleasant after the heat of the day. Grimaldi drove on at a quicker pace than usual, fearing that they might be alarmed at home by his being so late, and having just heard some distant clock strike the three quarters after eleven. Suddenly the horse stopped. Near the spot was a ridge across the road for the purpose of draining the fields on the higher side, forming a little hollow, which in the summer was dry, and in the winter generally full of mud. The horse knew it well, being accustomed to pause there for a minute, to cross the ditch slowly, and then to resume his usual trot. Bending forward to assure himself that he had arrived at this part of the road, Grimaldi heard a low whistle, and immediately afterwards three men darted out of a hedge. One seized the horse's bridle, and the two others rushed up, one to each side of the gig; then, presenting pistols, they demanded his money. Grimaldi sat for a moment quite incapable of speaking, the surprise had come so suddenly upon him; but hearing the cocking of a pistol close beside him, he roused himself, and seeing that he had no chance against three armed men, cried, "Mercy, gentlemen, mercy!" "You wont be hurt," said the man on his left, "so long as you give your money directly." "No, no," said the man at the horse's head, "you wont be hurt. Your money is what we want." "You shall have it," he answered; "but I expect you not to injure me." He fumbled at his pocket for his purse, and while doing so looked narrowly at the persons by whom he was attacked. They all wore black crape over their faces, so that not a feature was discernible, and were clad in very large black frocks. The disguises were complete: it was impossible to make out anything of their appearance. "Look sharp!" said the left-hand man; "the money!--come, we can't stay here." Grimaldi extricated the purse, and handed it to the speaker. The man at the horse's head looked sharply on, and cried, "Tom, what has he given you?" "His purse," was the reply.