Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/24

 reached to the middle of my legs: my waistcoat and breeches were of the same piece, and cut in the same taste; my hat very much resembled a barber's bason. Strap was habited in a much less awkward manner than me; but a short crop-eared wig, and the knapsack on his back, added to what is called a queer phiz, occasioned by a long chin hook nose, and high cheek-bones, rendered him, on the whole, a very fit subject for mirth and pleasantry. As we walked along, Strap, at my desire, inquired of a carman, whom we met, whereabouts Mr. Cringer lived; and was answered by a stare, accompanied with the word, “Anan!” Upon which I came up, in order to explain the question, but had the misfortune to be unintelligible likewise; the carman damning us for lousy Scotchmen, whipped up his horses with a “Gee ho!” which nettled me to the quick, and roused the indignation of Strap so far, that after the fellow was gone a good way, he told me he would fight him for a farthing. While we were deliberating what was next to be done, an hackney coachman, driving softly along, and perceiving us standing by the kennel, came up close to us, and calling, “A coach, master!” by a dexterous management of the reins, made his horses stumble in the wet, and bedaub us all over with mud. After which; he drove on, applauding himself with a hearty laugh, in which several people joined