Page:George Dobson's expedition to hell.pdf/7

 and again he asked the hideous toll-man what right he had to detain him, and what were his charges.

'What right have I to detain you, Sir, say you? Who are you that makes such a demand here? Do you know where you are, Sir?'

'No, faith, I do not' returned George; 'I wish I did But I shall know, and make you repent your insolence too. My name, I told you, is George Dobson, licensed coach-hirer in Edinburgh, Pleasance; and to get full redress of you for this unlawful interruption, I only desire to know where I am.'

'Then, Sir, if it can give you so much satisfaction to know where you are.' said the keeper with a malicious grin, 'you shall know. and you may take instruments by the bands of your two friends there, instituting a legal prosecution. Your redress, you may be assured, will be most ample, when I inform you that you are in Hell, and out of this gate you return no more.'

This was rather a damper to George, and he began to to perceive that nothing would be gained in such a place by the strong hand, so he addressed the inexarable toll-man, whom he now dreaded more than ever, in the following terms:—'But I must go home, at all events, you know, Sir, to unyoke my two horses, and put them up, and to inform Chirsty Halliday, my wife, of my engagement. And bless me, I never recollected till this moment, that I am engaged to be back here to morrow at twelve o'clock, and see here is a free ticket for my passage this way.'

The keeper took the ticket with one hand. but still held George with the other. 'Oha! were you in with our honourable friend, Mr R. of L ? said he. He has