[Barry Lyndon by William Makepeace Thackeray]@TWC D-Link bookBarry Lyndon CHAPTER XVI 10/21
Runt all the while lay tipsy in the carriage, having only a dreamy half-consciousness of all that was going on. The newly arrived champions of female distress now held a consultation, in which they looked at the young lord and laughed considerably. 'Do not be alarmed,' said the leader, coming up to the door; 'one of my people shall mount the box by the side of that treacherous rascal, and, with your Ladyship's leave, I and my companions will get in and see you home.
We are well armed, and can defend you in case of danger.' With this, and without more ado, he jumped into the carriage, his companion following him. 'Know your place, fellow!' cried out little Bullingdon indignantly: 'and give place to the Lord Viscount Bullingdon!' and put himself before the huge person of the new-comer, who was about to enter the hackney-coach. 'Get out of that, my Lord,' said the man, in a broad brogue, and shoving him aside.
On which the boy, crying 'Thieves! thieves!' drew out his little hanger, and ran at the man, and would have wounded him (for a small sword will wound as well as a great one); but his opponent, who was armed with a long stick, struck the weapon luckily out of the lad's hands: it went flying over his head, and left him aghast and mortified at his discomfiture. He then pulled off his hat, making his Lordship a low bow, and entered the carriage; the door of which was shut upon him by his confederate, who was to mount the box.
Miss Kiljoy might have screamed; but I presume her shrieks were stopped by the sight of an enormous horse-pistol which one of her champions produced, who said, 'No harm is intended you, ma'am, but if you cry out, we must gag you;' on which she suddenly became as mute as a fish. All these events took place in an exceedingly short space of time; and when the three invaders had taken possession of the carriage, the poor little Bullingdon being left bewildered and astonished on the heath, one of them putting his head out of the window, said,-- 'My Lord, a word with you.' 'What is it ?' said the boy, beginning to whimper: he was but eleven years old, and his courage had been excellent hitherto. 'You are only two miles from Marino.
Walk back till you come to a big stone, there turn to the right, and keep on straight till you get to the high-road, when you will easily find your way back.
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