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6 obtained, were neither very reconcileable to each other, nor accurate in the information which they afforded. Kippletringan was distant at first, "a gay bit." Then the "gay bit" was more accurately described, as "aiblins three miles;" then the "three miles" diminished into "like a mile and a bittock;" then extended themselves into "four miles or there awa;" and, lastly, a female voice having hushed a wailing infant which the spokeswoman carried in her arms, assured Guy Mannering, "It was a weary lang gait yet to Kippletringan, and unco heavy road for foot passengers." The poor hack upon which Mannering was mounted was probably of opinion that it suited him as ill as the female respondent; he began to flag very much, answered each application of the spur with a groan, and stumbled at every stone (and they were not few) which lay in his road.

Mannering now grew impatient. He was occasionally betrayed into a deceitful hope, that the end of his journey was near,