Causes Celcbres. to petition you in a modest manner to lend me a thousand marks, which will answer all the demands upon me at present." "A thousand marks!" answered the knight. " Why, man, that 's a capital sum; and where 's the inducement to lend you so much money who are a perfect stranger to me, — for to my eyes and knowledge I never saw you before all the days of my life?" "Sir, you must be mistaken; I am the honest grocer at Bedford, who has so often shared your favors?" "Really, friend, I do not know you, nor shall I part with my money but on a good bottom; pray, what security have you?" "Why, this dagger," says Dun, pulling it out of his breast, "is my constant security; and unless you let me have a thousand marks instantly, I shall pierce your heart." This terrible menace produced the in tended effect, and Dives delivered the money. Having lost his road in the country, Dun arrived at a house where he inquired if they could accommodate a benighted travel ler with a bed. The gentleman of the man sion politely told him that all his house was occupied with friends and relations who had just arrived to be present at the celebration of his daughter's marriage, which was to take place next day, otherwise he would have been very welcome. When he was un willingly departing, the gentleman informed him, if he was not superstitious or had cour age enough, that there was one room in his house unoccupied, but that it was haunted. Dun was above all silly apprehensions of that nature, and after being well entertained re tired to his room, 'the company all praying for his quiet rest. There was a good fire lighted in the room, and when all the house was at rest he lay anxiously expecting some thing to appear, when the chamber door opened and in came the bride, of whom he had taken particular notice at supper. He was first at a loss to know whether it was only a resemblance, but soon satisfied him self that it was really the lady; though
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whether she was walking in her sleep or not he could not say, but resolved to watch her motions. She seemed to look steadfastly upon his countenance, and then going round the bed, gently turned up the clothes and lay down by his side, where she had not rested long when she drew a rich diamond ring from her finger, then placed it on the pillow and left the room with the same silent step as she had entered it. Dun did not wish to dis turb her retreat when she had left so good a prize behind her. He soon fell asleep and dreamed that the lady again appeared, said that she detested the person with whom she was going to be married, and entreated him to assist her in this conjuncture. Dun, how ever, had got what he wanted, and departed next morning without either satisfying the curiosity of the company or thanking the gentleman for his kindness. By this time Dun had become formidable both to the rich and the poor; but one mel ancholy circumstance attended the depreda tions of this man, which was that almost in every instance, except those narrated, they were stained with blood. He continued his course for many years, the vicinity of the river Ouse in Yorkshire being ever the scene of many of his exploits. As he was at tended with fifty armed men on horseback, the inhabitants of the country were afraid to seize him. Nor was his last adventure less remark able than those of his former life. His in famy daily increasing, the people of that district were determined no longer to suffer his depredations. Though Dun was informed of what was intended, yet he still continued his career. The country rising at last against him, he and his gang were so closely pursued that they were constrained to divide, each taking shelter where he possibly could, and Dun concealed himself in a small village; the general pursuit and search however last ing, he was discovered, and the house he was in surrounded. Two of the strongest posted themselves at the door; with irre sistible courage, Dun seized his dagger, laid
