sed me for a faint-hearted fellow, and said that
the cloud would effectually hide the moon--or, if not--he added--'I know
how to silence a prating tongue.' At these words I was greatly alarmed,
and said, that if he meditated murder as well as robbery, I would have
nothing further to do with it. Thornton laughed, and told me not to be
a fool. While we were thus debating, a heavy shower came on; we rode
hastily to a large tree, by the side of a pond--which, though bare and
withered, was the nearest shelter the country afforded, and was only
a very short distance from my house. I wished to go home--but Thornton
would not let me, and as I was always in the habit of yielding, I stood
with him, though very reluctantly, under the tree.

"Presently, we heard the trampling of a horse.

"'It is he--it is he,' cried Thornton, with a savage tone of
exultation--'and alone!--Be ready--we must make a rush--I will be the
one to bid him to deliver--you hold your tongue.

"The clouds and rain had so overcast the night, that, although it
was not perfectly dark, it was sufficiently obscure to screen our
countenances. Just as Tyrrell approached, Thornton dashed forward, and
cried, in a feigned voice--'Stand, on your peril!' I followed, and we
were now both by Sir John's side.

"He attempted to push by us--but Thornton seized him by the arm--there
was a stout struggle, in which, as yet, I had no share--at last, Tyrrell
got loose from Thornton, and I seized him--he set spurs to his horse,
which was a very spirited and strong animal--it reared upwards, and very
nearly brought me and my horse to the ground--at that instant, Thornton
struck the unfortunate man a violent blow across the head with the butt
end of his heavy whip--Sir John's hat had fallen before in the struggle,
and the blow was so stunning that it felled him upon the spot. Thornton
dismounted, and made me do the same--'There is no time to lose,' said
he; 'let us drag him from the roadside and rifle him.' We accordingly
carried him (he was still senseless) to the side of the pond before
mentioned--while we were searching for the money Thornton spoke of, the
storm ceased, and the moon broke out--we were detained some moments by
the accident of Tyrrell's having transferred his pocket-book from the
pocket Thornton had seen him put it in on the race ground to an inner
one.

"We had just discovered, and seized the pocket-book, when Sir John awoke
from his swoon, and his eyes opened