I can go
for them, and be back in time; they are stout and true."
"Stout enough, but not true. No, no, I want no sharers in this
business, and you know how ill they behaved in the last affair. I'll
swear that they only produced half the swag. I like honor between
gentlemen and soldiers; and that's why I have chosen you. I know I can
trust you, Benjamin. It's time now--what do you say? We are two to
one, for I count the boy as nothing. Shall we start?"
"I am with you. You say there's a bag of gold, and that's worth
fighting for."
"Yes, Ben, and I'll tell you: with what I've got buried, and my share
of that bag, I shall have enough, I think; and I'll start for the Low
Countries, for England's getting rather too warm for me."
"Well, I shan't go yet," replied Benjamin. "I don't like your foreign
parts; they have no good ale, and I can't understand their talk. I'd
sooner remain in jolly old England with a halter twisted ready for me,
than pass my life with such a set of chaps, who drink nothing but
scheidam, and wear twenty pair of breeches. Come, let's be off; if we
get the money, you shall go to the Low Countries, Will, and I'll start
for the North, where they don't know me; for if you go, I won't stay
here."
The two men then rose up; and the one whose name appeared to be Will
first examined if the candle in his dark lantern burned well; and then
they both set off, followed by Edward, who had heard quite enough to
satisfy him that they were bent upon a burglary, if not murder.
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