Part 5 (1/2)
Pa.s.sing by a small shop we purchased two good sticks, as defenders, as well as to hang our bundles on--and off we set upon our pilgrimage.
PART ONE, CHAPTER EIGHT.
WE TAKE A COACH, BUT THE DRIVER DOES NOT LIKE HIS FARE AND HITS US FOUL--WE CHANGE OUR MODE OF TRAVELLING, UPON THE PRINCIPLE OF SLOW AND SURE, AND FALL IN WITH A VERY LEARNED MAN.
I believe it to be a very general custom, when people set off upon a journey to reckon up their means--that is, to count the money which they may have in their pockets. At all events, this was done by Timothy and me, and I found that my stock amounted to twenty-two pounds eighteen s.h.i.+llings, and Timothy's to the five guineas presented by Mr Cophagus, and three halfpence which were in the corner of his waistcoat pocket-- sum total, twenty-eight pounds three s.h.i.+llings and three halfpence; a very handsome sum, as we thought, with which to commence our peregrinations, and, as I observed to Timothy, sufficient to last us for a considerable time, if husbanded with care.
”Yes,” replied he, ”but we must husband our legs also, j.a.phet, or we shall soon be tired, and very soon wear out our shoes. I vote we take a hackney-coach.”
”Take a hackney-coach, Tim! we mustn't think of it; we cannot afford such a luxury; you can't be tired yet, we are now only just clear of Hyde Park Corner.”
”Still I think we had better take a coach, j.a.phet, and here is one coming. I always do take one when I carry out medicines, to make up for the time I lose looking at the shops, and playing peg in the ring.”
I now understood what Timothy meant, which was, to get behind and have a ride for nothing. I consented to this arrangement, and we got up behind one which was already well filled inside. ”The only difference between an inside and outside pa.s.senger in a hackney-coach is, that, one pays, and the other does not,” said I, to Timothy, as we rolled along at the act of parliament speed of four miles per hour.
”That depends upon circ.u.mstances: if we are found out, in all probability we shall not only have our ride, but be _paid_ into the bargain.”
”With the coachman's whip, I presume?”
”Exactly.” And Timothy had hardly time to get the word out of his mouth, when flac, flac, came the whip across our eyes--a little envious wretch, with his s.h.i.+rt hanging out of his trowsers, having called out _Cut behind_! Not wis.h.i.+ng to have our faces, or our behinds cut any more, we hastily descended, and reached the footpath, after having gained about three miles on the road before we were discovered.
”That wasn't a bad lift, j.a.phet, and as for the whip I never mind that with _corduroys_. And now, j.a.phet, I'll tell you something; we must get into a waggon, if we can find one going down the road, as soon as it is dark.”
”But that will cost money, Tim.”
”It's economy, I tell you; for a s.h.i.+lling, if you bargain, you may ride the whole night, and if we stop at a public-house to sleep, we shall have to pay for our beds, as well as be obliged to order something to eat, and pay dearer for it than if we buy what we want at cooks' shops.”
”There is sense in what you say, Timothy; we will look out for a waggon.”
”Oh! it's no use now--waggons are like black beetles, not only in shape but in habits, they only travel by night--at least most of them do. We are now coming into long dirty Brentford, and I don't know how you feel, j.a.phet, but I find that walking wonderfully increases the appet.i.te-- that's another reason why you should not walk when you can ride--for nothing.”
”Well, I'm rather hungry myself; and dear me, how very good that piece of roast pork looks in that window!”
”I agree with you--let's go in and make a bargain!”
We bought a good allowance for a s.h.i.+lling, and after sticking out for a greater proportion of mustard than the woman said we were ent.i.tled to, and some salt, we wrapped it up in a piece of paper, and continued our course, till we arrived at a baker's, where we purchased our bread; and then taking up a position on a bench outside a public-house, called for a pot of beer, and putting our provisions down before us, made a hearty, and, what made us more enjoy it, an independent meal. Having finished our pork and our porter, and refreshed ourselves, we again started and walked till it was quite dark, when we felt so tired that we agreed to sit down on our bundles and wait for the first waggon which pa.s.sed. We soon heard the jingling of bells, and shortly afterwards its enormous towering bulk appeared between us and the sky. We went up to the waggoner, who was mounted on a little pony, and asked him if he could give two poor lads a lift, and how much he would charge us for the ride.
”How much can ye afford to give, measters? for there be others as poor as ye.” We replied that we could give a s.h.i.+lling. ”Well, then, get up in G.o.d's name, and ride as long as you will. Get in behind.”
”Are there many people in there already?” said I as I climbed up, and Timothy handed me the bundles.
”Noa,” replied the waggoner, ”there be n.o.body but a mighty clever 'poticary or doctor, I can't tell which; but he wears an uncommon queer hat, and he talk all sort of doctor stuff--and there be his odd man and his odd boy; that be all, and there be plenty of room, and plenty o'
clean stra'.”
After this intimation we climbed up, and gained a situation in the rear of the waggon under the cloth. As the waggoner said, there was plenty of room, and we nestled into the straw without coming into contact with the other travellers. Not feeling any inclination to sleep, Timothy and I entered into conversation, _sotto voce_, and had continued for more than half an hour, supposing by their silence, that the other occupants of the waggon were asleep, when we were interrupted by a voice clear and sonorous as a bell.
”It would appear that you are wanderers, young men, and journey you know not whither. Birds seek their nests when the night falls--beasts hasten to their lairs--man bolts his door. '_Propria quae maribus_,' as Herodotus hath it; which, when translated, means, that 'such is the nature of mankind.' '_Tribuuntur mascula dicas_,' 'Tell me your troubles,' as Homer says.”