Six gentlemen upon the road
Thus seeing Gilpin fly,
With postboy scampering1 in the rear,
Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!
Not one of them was mute;
And all and each that passed that way
Did join in the pursuit.
---John Gilpin.
Arrived at the brow of the hill, whence such a beautiful view of the country surrounding the metropolis4 is obtained,[109] Turpin turned for an instant to reconnoitre his pursuers. Coates and Titus he utterly5 disregarded; but Paterson was a more formidable foe6, and he well knew that he had to deal with a man of experience and resolution. It was then, for the first time, that the thoughts of executing his extraordinary ride to York first flashed across him; his bosom7 throbbed8 high with rapture9, and he involuntarily exclaimed aloud, as he raised himself in the saddle, "By God! I will do it!"
[Footnote 109] Since the earlier editions of this Romance were published, we regret to state--for to us, at least, it is matter of regret, though probably not to the travellers along the Edgeware Road--that this gentle ascent10 has been cut through, and the fair prospect11 from its brow utterly destroyed.]
He took one last look at the great Babel that lay buried in a world of trees beneath him; and as his quick eye ranged over the magnificent prospect, lit up by that gorgeous sunset, he could not help thinking of Tom King's last words. "Poor fellow!" thought Dick, "he said truly. He will never see another sunset." Aroused by the approaching clatter12 of his pursuers, Dick struck into a lane which lies on the right of the road, now called Shoot-up-hill Lane, and set off at a good pace in the direction of Hampstead.
"Now," cried Paterson, "put your tits to it, my boys. We must not lose sight of him for a second in these lanes."
Accordingly, as Turpin was by no means desirous of inconveniencing his mare13 in this early stage of the business, and as the ground was still upon an ascent, the parties preserved their relative distances.
At length, after various twistings and turnings in that deep and devious14 lane; after scaring one or two farmers, and riding over a brood or two of ducks; dipping into the verdant15 valley of West End, and ascending16 another hill, Turpin burst upon the gorsy, sandy, and beautiful heath of Hampstead. Shaping his course to the left, Dick then made for the lower part of the heath, and skirted a path that leads towards North End, passing the furze-crowned summit which is now crested17 by a clump18 of lofty pines.
It was here that the chase first assumed a character of interest. Being open ground, the pursued and pursuers were in full view of each other; and as Dick rode swiftly across the heath, with the shouting trio hard at his heels, the scene had a very animated19 appearance. He crossed the hill--the Hendon Road--passed Crackskull Common--and dashed along the cross road to Highgate.
Hitherto no advantage had been gained by the pursuers; they had not lost ground, but still they had not gained an inch, and much spurring was required to maintain their position. As they approached Highgate, Dick slackened his pace, and the other party redoubled their efforts. To avoid the town, Dick struck into a narrow path at the right, and rode easily down the hill.
His pursuers were now within a hundred yards, and shouted to him to stand. Pointing to a gate which seemed to bar their further progress, Dick unhesitatingly charged it, clearing it in beautiful style. Not so with Coates's party; and the time they lost in unfastening the gate, which none of them chose to leap, enabled Dick to put additional space betwixt them. It did not, however, appear to be his intention altogether to outstrip20 his pursuers: the chase seemed to give him excitement, which he was willing to prolong as much as was consistent with his safety. Scudding21 rapidly past Highgate, like a swift-sailing schooner22, with three lumbering23 Indiamen in her wake, Dick now took the lead along a narrow lane that threads the fields in the direction of Hornsey. The shouts of his followers24 had brought others to join them, and as he neared Crouch25 End, traversing the lane which takes its name from Du-Val, and in which a house frequented by that gayest of robbers stands, or stood, "A highwayman! a highwayman!" rang in his ears, in a discordant26 chorus of many voices.
The whole neighborhood was alarmed by the cries, and by the tramp of horses: the men of Hornsey rushed into the road to seize the fugitive27, and women held up their babes to catch a glimpse of the flying cavalcade28, which seemed to gain number and animation29 as it advanced. Suddenly three horsemen appear in the road--they hear the uproar30 and the din3. "A highwayman! a highwayman!" cry the voices: "stop him, stop him!" But it is no such easy matter. With a pistol in each hand, and his bridle31 in his teeth, Turpin passed boldly on. His fierce looks--his furious steed--the impetus32 with which he pressed forward, bore down all before him. The horsemen gave way, and only served to swell33 the list of his pursuers.
"We have him now--we have him now!" cried Paterson, exultingly34. "Shout for your lives. The turnpike man will hear us. Shout again--again! The fellow has heard it. The gate is shut. We have him. Ha, ha!"
The old Hornsey toll-bar was a high gate, with chevaux-de-frise on the upper rail. It may be so still. The gate was swung into its lock, and, like a tiger in his lair35, the prompt custodian36 of the turnpike trusts, ensconced within his doorway37, held himself in readiness to spring upon the runaway38. But Dick kept steadily39 on. He coolly calculated the height of the gate; he looked to the right and to the left--nothing better offered; he spoke40 a few words of encouragement to Bess, gently patted her neck, then struck his spurs into her sides, and cleared the spikes41 by an inch. Out rushed the amazed turnpike man, thus unmercifully bilked, and was nearly trampled42 to death under the feet of Paterson's horse.
"Not I," said the man, sturdily, "unless I gets my dues. I've been done once already. But strike me stupid if I'm done a second time."
"Don't you perceive that's a highwayman? Don't you know that I'm chief constable of Westminster?" said Paterson, showing his staff. "How dare you oppose me in the discharge of my duty?"
"That may be, or it may not be," said the man, doggedly44. "But you don't pass, unless I gets the blunt, and that's the long and short on it."
Amidst a storm of oaths, Coates flung down a crown piece, and the gate was thrown open.
Turpin took advantage of this delay to breathe his mare; and, striking into a by-lane at Duckett's Green, cantered easily along in the direction of Tottenham. Little repose45 was allowed him. Yelling like a pack of hounds in full cry, his pursuers were again at his heels. He had now to run the gauntlet of the long straggling town of Tottenham, and various were the devices of the populace to entrap46 him. The whole place was up in arms, shouting, screaming, running, dancing, and hurling47 every possible description of missile at the horse and her rider. Dick merrily responded to their clamor as he flew past, and laughed at the brickbats that were showered thick as hail, and quite as harmlessly, around him.
A few more miles' hard riding tired the volunteers, and before the chase reached Edmonton most of them were "nowhere." Here fresh relays were gathered, and a strong field was again mustered48. John Gilpin himself could not have excited more astonishment49 amongst the good folks of Edmonton, than did our highwayman as he galloped50 through their town. Unlike the men of Tottenham, the mob received him with acclamations, thinking, no doubt, that, like "the citizens of famous London town," he rode for a wager51. Presently, however, borne on the wings of the blast, came the cries of "Turpin! Dick Turpin!" and the hurrahs were changed to hootings; but such was the rate at which our highwayman rode, that no serious opposition52 could be offered to him.
A man in a donkey-cart, unable to get out of the way, drew himself up in the middle of the road. Turpin treated him as he had done the dub53 at the knapping jigger, and cleared the driver and his little wain with ease. This was a capital stroke, and well adapted to please the multitude, who are ever taken with a brilliant action. "Hark away, Dick!" resounded54 on all hands, while hisses55 were as liberally bestowed56 upon his pursuers.
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1
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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2
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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4
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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7
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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8
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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9
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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10
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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12
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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13
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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14
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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15
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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16
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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17
crested
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| adj.有顶饰的，有纹章的，有冠毛的v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的过去式和过去分词 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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18
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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19
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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20
outstrip
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| v.超过，跑过 | |
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21
scudding
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| n.刮面v.（尤指船、舰或云彩）笔直、高速而平稳地移动( scud的现在分词 ) | |
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22
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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23
lumbering
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| n.采伐林木 | |
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24
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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25
crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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26
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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27
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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28
cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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29
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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30
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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31
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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32
impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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33
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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34
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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35
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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36
custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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37
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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38
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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39
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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40
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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41
spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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42
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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43
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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44
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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45
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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46
entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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47
hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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48
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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49
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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50
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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51
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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52
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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53
dub
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| vt.（以某种称号）授予，给...起绰号，复制 | |
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54
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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55
hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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56
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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