to allow them a free sight of all the objects around; and it was this circumstance that procured them their distinctive appellation "the Waltham Blacks."

At the time at which our story commences, so many outrages had been perpetrated by this unlawful association, that government was obliged to interfere to strengthen the arm of the law, which had been totally set at defiance. Robberies of every description, and forcible seizures of the deer, accompanied in some flagrant instances by the murder of the gamekeepers, when they ventured to endeavour to do their duty, forced the adoption of stronger measures than are usually necessary to curb unlicensed violence in our peaceful isle, and induced ministers of that day to determine that this disgrace to the vicinity of the metropolis (for, incredible as it may appear, the sphere of their depredations extended to within twelve miles of London) should be rooted out. Rewards were accordingly offered, the magistracy of the neighbourhood enjoined to be on the alert, and an especial police appointed to detect and apprehend offenders For some time these measures seemed only to exasperate the masked banditti, who, to show their strength, and intimidate the officers of justice, behaved with a reckless ferocity unknown in the earliest and more innocent stages of their career. The death of those who were so unfortunate as to fall into their power was now an occurrence by no means unusual, and seemed every day to become a more favourite expedient to escape detection. With these preliminary remarks we will proceed with our tale :-

" In a lonely part of Epping Forest was situated a solitary cottage: this was one of the lodges appropriated to the residence of the keepers of the deer. A lover of the picturesque could not have selected a more delightful spot than that in which the hut of William Ormerod was situated; nor could the most fastidious critic in female beauty imagine a more light and graceful form, or more lovely and expressive features, than those of Mary Ormerod, the keeper's only daughter-She was, in truth,

"The prettiest low-born lass that e'er "Ran on the green sward." There was a lightsome agility about her gait and manner, and an open frankness in her speech, not to be acquired in the confined locality of towns, but natural and becoming to one who had from her infancy been accustomed to the cheerful solitude of the woody glade, and uncorrupted by intercourse with the world. With such attractions it may reasonably be supposed that, even in that thinly inhabited district, she met with many rustic admirers. Seldom, however, was she seen away from her native cot, but still at 'wake and fair' she unconsciously bore away the bell from all the neighbouring damsels-but no impression had been made on her own guileless heart, till Edwin came the pride of swains,' in the shape of George Mayfield, a young farmer, whose residence, although the nearest to the gamekeeper's lodge, was at the distance of some miles. This obstacle, however, only seemed to increase the ardour of her lover, whose stolen visits were neither 'few nor far between.' Stolen we say, because the father of Mary, suspicious of

the motives of the young farmer, and unable to bear with patience the prospect of a separation from his child, the only living thing in the world he loved, had, at least for the present, forbidden the visits of Mayfield. Toreceive them after her father's request to the contrary, was Mary's first disobedience: often and often did she determine to banish her lover from her presence, but when he came, all her resolves were forgotten, and they continued to meet as before.

"It was after one of these secret interviews that, as George Mayfield was hastily proceeding homewards, he was startled in a remote glade of the forest by the sound of the rapid discharge of fire-arms. Hastening to the spot from which the report seemed to issue, an appalling scene met his view; a man lay stretched on the ground, evidently rendered insensible by a wound in the breast, the blood, gushing in torrents from which, discoloured the turf for yards around. Over this prostrate figure bent another, a stout and swarthy youth, apparently almost exhausted from a protracted struggle with his victim, and whose connection with the dreaded 'blacks' was evident from the mask which lay on the ground bedaubed in the warm blood of the keeper Ormerod, whom Mayfield now recognised. At the sound of the rustling which Mayfield made in bursting through the trees, the robber turned his head, and displayed a countenance which George thought he had seen before, but where he could not recollect. Fearful of his life should he delay, Mayfield hesitated not to draw his pistol, (for

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then no one thought it safe to go unarmed,) and levelled it at the outlaw's head. The aim was good, and the wound must have proved mortal, had not the robber accidentally, but most fortunately for himself, inclined his head at the moment of firing, so that he was only slightly grazed on the forehead. I have marked him, however!' exclaimed Mayfield, as the other, deeming it prudent to retreat, disappeared among the trees, the blood all the while trickling down his face.

"Mayfield's next care was to examine into the hurts of the wounded man; he had just succeeded in staunching the flow of blood, which must of itself have proved fatal, and hailed with joy the symptoms of returning life given by two or three heavy groans, when a loud whistle was heard-glad to find that human assistance was at hand, for he knew the signal to be one in use among the new police of the forest, George answered the whistle with a loud shout, and in a few moments found himself -a prisoner in the hands of the officers of justice! Heavily manacled, he was led to the house of the nearest magistrate, loudly exclaiming against his unjust arrest, and demanding to know for what crime he was apprehended; to which he received for reply, that he might make up his mind for a swing in front of Chelmsford gaol, for the leader of the Waltham Blacks could hardly hope to escape!"

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"The leader of the Waltham Blacks!' exclaimed Mayfield, you surely cannot be serious?' "Ay, but I am though!' replied the officer; and serious

enough you'll find it in the end, I'm thinking! We be got a man to swear as how you've been their ringleader these five years; and, moreover than all that, if you mought be able to disprove that, you'll find this shooting the keeper an ugly business, I'll promise you!'

""I shoot the keeper!' cried Mayfield, surprised, ' on the contrary, I protected him from the assassin!'

"Well, I say nothing!' returned his conductor, with an incredulous leer, but here we are, at his worship's, Justice Ingleby's, so you may tell your story to him, and if he wont believe it, you know you can tell it to the twelve honest men and the man in the big wig! But you may as well keep your breath to cool your porridge, for "deeds speak louder than words," and I've seen many a fairer spoken fellow dancing on nothing before now!' "Accordingly the culprit, who was gazed at with feelings of awe and curiosity by the crowd, whom the news of his capture had drawn around the door, was led into the presence of the magistrate. The examination of the witnesses immediately commenced, and Mayfield, to use the memorable assertion of Warren Hastings after Burke's opening speech, 'could hardly persuade himself he was not guilty, when fact after fact was adduced, each so corroborative of the other, and each forming a link in the chain of evidence * which seemed to fix upon him the guilt of being the dreaded leader of the Waltham Blacks.' "First came an inferior member of the band, who, to save his own neck, and for the sake of

the promised reward, had consented to bear witness against his former comrades. He could not speak positively to the prisoner's person, for, as he said, the captain of their band was unknown to all his followers except a chosen few, always appearing masked before them; but he could swear that he saw him shoot the keeper, Ormerod, who had interfered to prevent them from shooting the deer of which he had the charge; that he was about the height of Mayfield, and that the mask which had been torn from his face in the scuffle was of a peculiar make, and such as the captain always wore. The keeper himself followed, weak from loss of blood, and scarcely able to stand; he narrated the attack that had been made on him, his struggles with the assailant, who shot him to effect his escape; that he then became insensible, only recollecting that he tore away the mask from the face of the assassin, in which state he continued until just as the prisoner was apprehended.

"The name of Mary Ormerod' now resounded through the apartment, and, with feelings which we will not attempt to describe, her lover saw her unwillingly brought forward, and obliged to testify to facts, which, in connexion with those we have just detailed, were likely to place his life in such imminent jeopardy. In answer to questions from the magistrate, she confessed that he had sought her hand, that he was disapproved of by her father, and that she had still permitted his visits. Then, with a faultering voice, she proceeded to state what from her, had she not ceased to regard her lover but as her father's intended murderer! As it was, the words came from her with reluctance, but she would be failing still more in her duty to her parent, did she not disclose what she knew. This was, that he had said to her on leaving her that evening, that 'perhaps ere long her father might bitterly repent of his conduct;' and that he had shewed her a pair of loaded pistols, which she identified as those found on the prisoner, and with one of which he was supposed to have perpetrated the crime, as when he was apprehended it had recently been discharged. This was, in fact, the pistol he had fired at the real assassin.

"With such strong circumstances against him, Mayfield felt that it was almost useless to speak. Reflecting, however, on the adage, that truth must prevail,' he told his story just as the events had occurred. When he had concluded, the justice shook his head incredulously, and informed him, that he felt it to be his duty to commit him for trial to the county gaol. Until he could be removed thither, he was to be confined in the strong room,' with a constable over him. Thither he was accordingly conducted.

"He had not been long in this situation before he heard a whispering outside, and the door opened to admit a person whom Mayfield instantly recognised as the real offender. Our hero instantly attempted to seize him, exclaiming to his guard, I charge you to aid and assist! this is the real assassin of Ormerod!'

'think'st thou I would venture. in the lion's mouth until his teeth were drawn! Rave as you list, you have none within hearing, save honest Lawrence there, to whom it is nothing new that Frank Ingleby is the masked leader of the Waltham Blacks!'

""Frank Ingleby! what! the son of the justice! ha, I know thee now! when thou crouchedst from the fire of my pistol I thought I knew thee; and, by heavens! it shall go hard if, ere long, you find not yourself in my place!'

""Rave on!' calmly replied his tormentor; 'who, think ye, will credit the crazy tale, that the chief of the bank of outlaws is the son of the rich Squire Ingleby?' No, no! my measures have been planned too well! You must either quietly submit to your fate, or be indebted to my mercy for your liberation-on one condition!'

"Name it!' cried Mayfield, who perceived it would be useless to endeavour to escape in any other way.

"The other replied in a steady tone, 'That you give up all pretensions to the hand of Mary Ormerod. I have long loved her, and but for you, ere this, I should have triumphed over her virtue. Say that you abandon her to me, and I will take care to release you from your escort. You can fly to the sea shore, and may perhaps attain to wealth and honour in some distant land! ""Never will I consent!' cried Mayfield, in a paroxysm of passion, 'sooner would I die ten thousand deaths, than give up my beloved to the grasp of the spoiler. Away! leave me to