What a fair he had made

Last week at Hereford fair, a boy was sent to it to sell a cow, which he did, for more money than the master ordered. The boy, going into a public house, and bragging to a neighbour what a fair he had made; a highwayman being in the house overheard him, followed him a mile out of town, and gave him a lift on horseback but about two miles farther told him, he must have the money he sold the cow for; on this, the boy slipt off the horse, and ran, and the highwayman, dismounting, ran after him; and, on overtaking him, the boy pulled the money out of his pocket, and strewed it about; and while the highwayman was picking it up, the boy seized the horse, and rode home. Upon searching the saddle-bags, there were found twelve pounds in cash, and two pistols loaded.

The horse is worth about fourteen pounds.