Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/131

85 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 8.S

of the cart-ruts, and bumping up against the hedges on either uide, as if they would go to pieces every moment.

" How much are they a-head?" shouted Wardle, as they drove up to the door of the Blue Lion, round which a little crowd had col- lected, late as it was.

" Not above three-quarters of an hour," was everybody's reply.

" Chaise and four directly !— out with 'em I Put up the gig after- wards."

"Now, boys I" cried the landlord — "chaise and four out — make haste — look alive there !"

Away ran the hostlers, and the boys. The lanterns glimmered, as tie men ran to and fro ; the horses' hoofs clattered on the uneven paving of the yard ; the chaise rumbled as it was drawn out of the coach-house ; and all was noise and bustle.

•' Now then I — is that chaise coming out to-night?" cried Wardle.

" Coming down the yard now. Sir," replied the hostler.

Out came the chaise — in went the horses — on sprung the boys — in got the travellers.

"Mind — the seven-mile stage in less than half an hour I" shouted Wardle.

" Off with you I '

The boys applied whip and spur, the waiters shouted, the hostlers cheered, and away they went, fast and furiously

" Pretty situation," thought Mr. Pickwick, when he had had a moment's time for reflection. " Pretty situation for the General Chairman of the Pickwick Club. Damp chaise — strange horses — fifteen miles an hour — and twelve o'clock at night I "

For the first three or four miles, not a word was spoken by either of the gentlemen, each being too much immersed in his own reflections, to address any observations to his companion. When they had gone over that much ground, however, and the horses getting thoroughly warmed began to do their work in really good style, Mr. Pickwick became too much exhilarated with the rapidity of the motion, to remain any longer perfectly mute.

" We're sure to catch them, I think," said he.

" Hope so," replied his companion.

" Fine night," said Mr. Pickwick, looking up at the moon, whicu was shining brightly.

'♦ So much the worse," retunned Wardle ; *' for they'll have had all the advantage of the moonlight to get the start of us, and we shall lose it. It will have gone down in another hour."

" It will be rather unpleasant going at this rate in the dark, won't it ? " inquired Mr. Pickwick,

" I dare say it will," replied his friend drily.

Mr. Pickwick's temporary excitement began to sober down a little, as he reflected upon the inconveniences and dangers of the expedition in which he had so thoughtlessly embarked. He was roused by a loud shouting of the post-boy on the leader.

" Yj — yo — yo — yo — voe," went the first bav

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