ept along the coach roof,
and discharged thence one of his large horse-pistols at what he took to
be the highwayman's head, but which, luckily for Dick, was his hat,
which he had raised to salute the passengers.

"Remember you," said Dick, coolly replacing his perforated beaver on his
brow; "you may rely upon it, my fine fellow, I'll not forget you the
next time we meet."

And off he went like the breath of the whirlwind.

_CHAPTER VIII_

_ROADSIDE INN_

_Moor._ Take my horse, and dash a bottle of wine over him. 'Twas hot
work.

SCHILLER: _The Robbers_.

We will now make inquiries after Mr. Coates and his party, of whom both
we and Dick Turpin have for some time lost sight. With unabated ardor
the vindictive man of law and his myrmidons pressed forward. A tacit
compact seemed to have been entered into between the highwayman and his
pursuers, that he was to fly while they were to follow. Like
bloodhounds, they kept steadily upon his trail; nor were they so far
behind as Dick imagined. At each post-house they passed they obtained
fresh horses, and, while these were saddling, a postboy was despatched
_en courrier_ to order relays at the next station. In this manner they
proceeded after the first stoppage without interruption. Horses were in
waiting for them, as they, "bloody with spurring, fiery hot with haste,"
and their jaded hacks arrived. Turpin had been heard or seen in all
quarters. Turnpike-men, waggoners, carters, trampers, all had seen him.
Besides, strange as it may sound, they placed some faith in his word.
York they believed would be his destination.

At length the coach which Dick had encountered hove in sight. There was
another stoppage and another hubbub. The old gentleman's nightcap was
again manifested, and suffered a sudden occultation, as upon the former
occasion. The postboy, who was in advance, had halted, and given up his
horse to Major Mowbray, who exchanged his seat on the box for one on the
saddle, deeming it more expedient, after his interview with Turpin, to
return to Rookwood, rather than to proceed to town. The postboy was
placed behind Coates, as being the lightest weight; and, thus
reinforced, the party pushed forward as rapidly as heretofore.

Eighty and odd miles had now been traversed--the boundary of another
county, Northampton, passed; yet no rest nor respite had Dick Turpin or
his unflinching mare enjoyed. But here