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Page 22
The interval was employed by Wild in prosecuting his scheme of
raising a gang, in which he met with such success, that within a
few days he had levied several bold and resolute fellows, fit for
any enterprize, how dangerous or great soever.
We have before remarked that the truest mark of greatness is
insatiability. Wild had covenanted with the count to receive
three-fourths of the booty, and had, at the same time, covenanted
with himself to secure the other fourth part likewise, for which
he had formed a very great and noble design; but he now saw with
concern that sum which was to be received in hand by Heartfree in
danger of being absolutely lost. In order therefore to possess
himself of that likewise, he contrived that the jewels should be
brought in the afternoon, and that Heartfree should be detained
before the count could see him; so that the night should overtake
him in his return, when two of his gang were ordered to attack and
plunder him.
CHAPTER THREE
CONTAINING SCENES OF SOFTNESS, LOVE, AND HONOUR ALL IN THE GREAT
STILE.
The count had disposed of his jewel for its full value, and this
he had by dexterity raised to a thousand pounds; this sum
therefore he paid down to Heartfree, promising him the rest within
a month. His house, his equipage, his appearance, but, above all,
a certain plausibility in his voice and behaviour would have
deceived any, but one whose great and wise heart had dictated to
him something within, which would have secured him from any danger
of imposition from without. Heartfree therefore did not in the
least scruple giving him credit; but, as he had in reality
procured those jewels of another, his own little stock not being
able to furnish anything so valuable, he begged the count would be
so kind to give his note for the money, payable at the time he
mentioned; which that gentleman did not in the least scruple; so
he paid him the thousand pound in specie, and gave his note for
two thousand eight hundred pounds more to Heartfree, who burnt
with gratitude to Wild for the noble customer he had recommended
to him.
As soon as Heartfree was departed, Wild, who waited in another
room, came in and received the casket from the count, it having
been agreed between them that this should be deposited in his
hands, as he was the original contriver of the scheme, and was to
have the largest share. Wild, having received the casket, offered
to meet the count late that evening to come to a division, but
such was the latter's confidence in the honour of our hero, that
he said, if it was any inconvenience to him, the next morning
would do altogether as well. This was more agreeable to Wild, and
accordingly, an appointment being made for that purpose, he set
out in haste to pursue Heartfree to the place where the two
gentlemen were ordered to meet and attack him. Those gentlemen
with noble resolution executed their purpose; they attacked and
spoiled the enemy of the whole sum he had received from the count.
As soon as the engagement was over, and Heartfree left sprawling
on the ground, our hero, who wisely declined trusting the booty in
his friends' hands, though he had good experience of their honour,
made off after the conquerors: at length, they being all at a
place of safety, Wild, according to a previous agreement, received
nine-tenths of the booty: the subordinate heroes did indeed
profess some little unwillingness (perhaps more than was strictly
consistent with honour) to perform their contract; but Wild,
partly by argument, but more by oaths and threatenings, prevailed
with them to fulfil their promise.
Our hero having thus, with wonderful address, brought this great
and glorious action to a happy conclusion, resolved to relax his
mind after his fatigue, in the conversation of the fair. He
therefore set forwards to his lovely Laetitia; but in his way
accidentally met with a young lady of his acquaintance, Miss Molly
Straddle, who was taking the air in Bridges-street. Miss Molly,
seeing Mr. Wild, stopped him, and with a familiarity peculiar to a
genteel town education, tapped, or rather slapped him on the back,
and asked him to treat her with a pint of wine at a neighbouring
tavern. The hero, though he loved the chaste Laetitia with
excessive tenderness, was not of that low sniveling breed of
mortals who, as it is generally expressed, TYE THEMSELVES TO A
WOMANS APRON-STRINGS; in a word, who are tainted with that mean,
base, low vice, or virtue as it is called, of constancy; therefore
he immediately consented, and attended her to a tavern famous for
excellent wine, known by the name of the Rummer and Horseshoe,
where they retired to a room by themselves. Wild was very vehement
in his addresses, but to no purpose; the young lady declared she
would grant no favour till he had made her a present; this was
immediately complied with, and the lover made as happy as he could
desire.
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