which it imposes upon us. It finds us in men, in money, in horses. It
assesses the Cherokees, and they yield a tithe, and sometimes a greater
proportion of their ponies, in obedience to its requisitions. Hence,
indeed, the name of the club. It relieves young travellers, like
yourself, of their small change--their sixpences; and when they happen
to have a good patent lever, such a one as a smart young gentleman like
yourself is very apt to carry about him, it is not scrupulous, but helps
them of that too, merely by way of _pas-time_."

And the ruffian chuckled in a half-covert manner at his own pun.

"Truly, a well-conceived sort of sovereignty, and doubtless sufficiently
well served, if I may infer from the representative before me. You must
do a large business in this way, most worthy sir."

"Why, that we do, and your remark reminds me that I have quite as little
time to lose as yourself. You now understand, young sir, the toll you
have to pay, and the proprietor who claims it."

"Perfectly--perfectly. You will not suppose me dull again, most candid
keeper of the Pony Turnpike. But have you made up your mind, in earnest,
to relieve me of such trifling encumbrances as those you have just
mentioned?"

"I should be strangely neglectful of the duties of my station, not to
speak of the discourtesy of such a neglect to yourself, were I to do
otherwise; always supposing you burdened with such encumbrances. I put
it to yourself, whether such would not be the effect of my omission."

"It most certainly would, most frank and candid of all the outlaws. Your