With these words, the youth, gathering up the bridle of the horse, and
slightly touching him with the rowel, would have proceeded on his
course; but the position of the outlaw now underwent a corresponding
change, and, grasping the rein of the animal, he arrested his farther
progress.

"I am less willing to separate than yourself from good company, gentle
youth, as you may perceive; since I so carefully restrain you from a
ride over a road so perilous as this. You have spoken like a fair and
able scholar this afternoon; and talents, such as you possess, come too
seldom into our forests to suffer them, after so brief a sample, to
leave us so abruptly. You must come to terms with the turnpike."

"Take your hands from my horse, sirrah!" was the only response made by
the youth; his tone and manner corresponding with the change in the
situation of the parties. "I would not do you harm willingly; I want no
man's blood on my head; but my pistols, let me assure you, are much more
readily come at than my purse. Tempt me not to use them--stand from the
way."

"It may not be," replied the robber, with a composure and coolness that
underwent no change; "your threats affect me not. I have not taken my
place here without a perfect knowledge of all its dangers and
consequences. You had better come peaceably to terms; for, were it even
the case that you could escape _me_, you have only to cast your eye up
the path before you, to be assured of the utter impossibility of
escaping those who aid me. The same glance will also show you the
tollgate, which you could not see before. Look ahead, young sir, and be
wise in time; and let me perform my duties without hindrance."