"Give these brave gentlemen a writing to your mother, and she will pay; and you will let us free then, gentlemen--won't you ?" "When the money's paid, yes," said the leader, Mr.Brock.
"Oh, in course," echoed the tall man with the halberd.

"What's a thrifling detintion, my dear ?" continued he, addressing Hayes.

"We'll amuse you in your absence, and drink to the health of your pretty wife here." This promise, to do the halberdier justice, he fulfilled.

He called upon the landlady to produce the desired liquor; and when Mr.Hayes flung himself at that lady's feet, demanding succour from her, and asking whether there was no law in the land-- "There's no law at the 'Three Rooks' except THIS!" said Mr.Brock in reply, holding up a horse-pistol.

To which the hostess, grinning, assented, and silently went her way.
After some further solicitations, John Hayes drew out the necessary letter to his father, stating that he was pressed, and would not be set free under a sum of twenty guineas; and that it would be of no use to detain the bearer of the letter, inasmuch as the gentlemen who had possession of him vowed that they would murder him should any harm befall their comrade.