Saints , how they ran ! We heard them pound on the door of the Bell Tavern , and then we ran too . ' `` What 's next ? '' says Sebastian , looping up his cow-tail as he leaped the briars . `` I 've broke honest John 's face . '' ' `` Ride to Sir John Pelham 's , '' I said . `` He is the only one that ever stood by me . '' ` We rode to Brightling , and past Sir John 's lodges , where the keepers would have shot at us for deer-stealers , and we had Sir John down into his Justice 's chair , and when we had told him our tale and showed him the cow-hide which Sebastian wore still girt about him , he laughed till the tears ran . ' `` Wel-a-well ! '' he says . `` I 'll see justice done before daylight . What 's your complaint ? Master Collins is my old friend . '' ' `` He 's none of mine , '' I cried . `` When I think how he and his likes have baulked and dozened and cozened me at every turn over the church '' -- and I choked at the thought . ' `` Ah , but ye see now they needed it for another use , '' says he smoothly . ' `` So they did my serpentines , '' Sebastian cries . `` I should be half across the Western Ocean by now if my guns had been ready . But they 're sold to a Scotch pirate by your old friend -- '' ' `` Where 's your proof ? '' says Sir John , stroking his beard . '
`` I broke my shins over them not an hour since , and I heard XXXXX give order where they were to be taken , '' says Sebastian . '
Brightling Collins John Sebastian briars choked cow-tail daylight keepers serpentines