seven in the morning
The postilion being upon record as an old offender , the chief justice made no scruple of admitting Clinker to bail , when he perused the affidavit of Mr Mead , importing that the said Clinker was not the person that robbed him on Blackheath ; and honest Humphry was discharged . When he came home , he expressed great eagerness to pay his respects to his master , and here his elocution failed him , but his silence was pathetic ; he fell down at his feet and embraced his knees , shedding a flood of tears , which my uncle did not see without emotion . He took snuff in some confusion ; and , putting his hand in his pocket , gave him his blessing in something more substantial than words -- ` Clinker -LRB- said he -RRB- , I am so well convinced , both of your honesty and courage , that I am resolved to make you my life-guardman on the highway . ' He was accordingly provided with a case of pistols , and a carbine to be flung a-cross his shoulders ; and every other preparation being made , we set out last Thursday , at seven in the morning ; my uncle , with the three women in the coach ; Humphry , well mounted on a black gelding bought for his use ; myself a-horseback , attended by my new valet , Mr Dutton , an exceeding coxcomb , fresh from his travels , whom I have taken upon trial -- The fellow wears a solitaire , uses paint , and takes rappee with all the grimace of a French marquis . At present , however , he is in a ridingdress , jack-boots , leather breeches , a scarlet waistcoat , with gold binding , a laced hat , a hanger , a French posting-whip in his hand , and his hair en queue . Before we had gone nine miles , my horse lost one of his shoes ; so that I was obliged to stop at Barnet to have another , while the coach proceeded at an easy pace over the common . About a mile short of Hatfield , the postilions , stopping the carriage , gave notice to Clinker that there were two suspicious fellows a-horseback , at the end of a lane , who semed waiting to attack the coach .