"Let me first clear my throat," returned Dick; "and now to resume:" Once it happened in Cheshire, near Dunham, I popped On a horseman alone, whom I speedily stopped; That I lightened his pockets you'll readily guess-- Quick work makes Dick Turpin when mounted on Bess. Now it seems the man knew me; "Dick Turpin," said he, "You shall swing for this job, as you live, d'ye see;" I laughed at his threats and his vows of redress; I was sure of an _alibi_ then with Black Bess. The road was a hollow, a sunken ravine,[95] Overshadowed completely by wood like a screen; I clambered the bank, and I needs must confess, That one touch of the spur grazed the side of Black Bess. Brake, brook, meadow, and plough'd field, Bess fleetly bestrode, As the crow wings her flight we selected our road; We arrived at Hough Green in five minutes, or less-- My neck it was saved by the speed of Black Bess. Stepping carelessly forward, I lounge on the green, Taking excellent care that by all I am seen; Some remarks on time's flight to the squires I address, But I say not a word of the flight of Black Bess. I mention the hour--it was just about four-- Play a rubber at bowls--think the danger is o'er; When athwart my next game, like a checkmate at chess, Comes the horsemen in search of the rider of Bess. What matter details? Off with triumph I came; He swears to the hour, and the squires swear the same; I had robbed him at _four_!--while at four _they_ profess I was quietly bowling--all thanks to Black Bess! Then one halloo, boys, one loud cheering halloo! To the swiftest of coursers, the gallant, the true! For the sportsman unborn shall the memory bless Of the horse of the highwayman, bonny Black Bess! Loud acclamations rewarded Dick's performance. Awakened from his doze, Zoroaster beat time to the melody, the only thing, Jerry said, he was capable of _beating_ in his present shattered condition. After some little persuasion, the Magus was prevailed upon to enliven the company with a strain, which he trolled forth after a maudlin manner: THE DOUBLE CROSS Though all of us have heard of _crost_ fights, And certain _gains_, by certain _lost_ fights, I rather fancies that it's news, How in a mill, _both_ men should _lose_; For vere the _odds_ are thus made _even_, It plays the dickens with the _steven_;[96] Besides, against all rule they're sinning, Vere _neither_ has _no_ chance of vinning. _Ri, tol, lol, &c._