by which
reflection, Jack became for once in his life sentimental, and sighed.
"Poor Du-Val! he was seized at the Hole-in-the-Wall in Chandos-street by
the bailiff of Westminster, when dead drunk, his liquor having been
drugged by his dells--and was shortly afterwards hanged at Tyburn."

"It was thousand pities," said Mr. Coates, with a sneer, "that so fine a
gentleman should come to so ignominious an end!"

"Quite the contrary," returned Jack. "As his biographer, Doctor Pope,
properly remarks, 'Who is there worthy of the name of man, that would
not prefer such a death before a mean, solitary, inglorious life?'
By-the-by, Titus, as we're upon the subject, if you like I'll sing you a
song about highwaymen."

"I should like it of all things," replied Titus, who entertained a very
favorable opinion of Jack's vocal powers, and was by no means an
indifferent performer; "only let it be in a minor key."

Jack required no further encouragement, but disregarding the hints and
looks of Coates, sang with much unction the following ballad to a good
old tune, then very popular--the merit of which "nobody can deny."

A CHAPTER OF HIGHWAYMEN

Of every rascal of every kind,
The most notorious to my mind,
Was the Cavalier Captain, gay JEMMY HIND![7]
_Which nobody can deny._

But the pleasantest coxcomb among them all
For lute, coranto, and madrigal,
Was the galliard Frenchman, CLAUDE DU-VAL![8]
_Which nobody can deny._

And Tobygloak never a coach could rob,
Could lighten a pocket, or empty a fob,
With a neater hand than OLD MOB, OLD MOB![9]
_Which nobody can deny._

Nor did housebreaker ever deal harder knocks
On the stubborn lid of a good strong box,
Than that prince of good fellows, TOM COX, TOM COX![10]
_Which nobody can deny._

A blither fellow on broad highway,
Did never with oath bid traveller stay,
Than devil-may-care WILL HOLLOWAY![11]
_Which nobody can deny._

And in roguery naught could exceed the tricks
Of GETTINGS and GREY, and the five or six
Who trod in the steps of bold NEDDY WICKS![12]
_Which nobody can deny._

Nor could any so handily break a lock
As SHEPPARD, who stood on the Newga