Aye, that he is; white wig and bands and all. Yes, he's a Bishop. And there was his wife, (A big fat monster of a wife) and then There was a little wizened-looking thing, A sort of curate. Well, I looked at them And laughed to see them tremble in their shoes. "Good e'en, my Lord," says I, and doffed my hat. "How do you like the Royal Mail?" Says he: "O good Sir Highwayman, pray let me go, Our coach broke down at York, and so we took This public carrier, this dreadful thing, This Royal Mail. O will you let us pass? I must get into Hull by dawn, and sleep, For I confirm an hundred souls at noon." I listened to him, Kate, and did not see The old fox slip a pistol up to Dick. But, bang! Hell's fury! Down fell Monmouth, dead. And off I stumbled in the ditch! Well, Kate, Dick aimed for me, you see, and got the horse. And I got Dick. I got him through the head. And then I joined the Bishop once again. "Come out, my Lord, and strip!" says I. "What, strip?" Says he, and let his jaw fall on his chest. "Yes, strip!" says I, and pulls his great-coat off: "Yes, strip!" says I, and throws his wig away: "Yes, strip!" says I, and pulls his breeches off: And there he stands and shivers, pink and fat. "Now, Madame Bishopess," says I, "pray do Poor Captain Thunder so much courtesy As to ride by him on the way to town." She screamed and fought. I took her in my arms And heaved her up into the seat. "Now strip!" I shouted to the curate. "Yes," says he, "I'll strip," and strip he did. "Inside!" says I; They stumbled headlong in, I cracked my whip And, whoop! the Mail went rumbling on to Hull! Well, just at dawn we passed the Southern Gate; We galloped down the street and made a halt Beside the Close. "Here's the Cathedral, dame!" Says I, and helped the lady to the ground. "Unbar the door, and help his Lordship out And don't forget the curate!" How I laughed To see the Bishop and the curate run Stark naked, screaming, to the Chapter House! Well, I was off at once and out of Hull And never stopped to breathe the nags till now. LITTLE GIRL But, Captain Thunder! Captain! Are you mad? They'll have the country after you! Be quick! You can't make cover in a coach and four As on a horse! ASHMAN Nay, Kate, rest easy now. Red Will is out, and Davy Doublesword, And Hieland Jock, and Dan the Drum and Ned, And twenty gallant gentlemen beside. And they have sworn to keep the roadway clear By setting all the lobsters such a chase Will scatter them till night. And Ned will blow His bugle when the way is safe. Then, whoop! I'll rattle off again and fill the coach With gentlemen of fortune, comrades true, And own the road from here to London town. (_A horn is heard and a cry of "Fish, fish, fish, fine fresh fish!"_) LITTLE GIRL Down, Captain, loose the horses! There's the call! (_The ASHMAN gets down, takes off the horse's nosebag and unhitches the horse from the post._) ASHMAN (_getting back on his seat_) Now, Kate, we'll gallop off to Arcady.