s for my own peart, measter," continued this charitable
publican, "I believes as how they are no better than they should
be, else they wouldn't be in such a deadly fear of being overtaken.
Methinks, said I, when I saw them in such a woundy pother to be gone,
oddsheartlikins! this must be some London 'prentice running away with
his measter's daughter, as sure as I'm a living soul. But, be he who he
will, sartain it is, a has nothing of the gentleman about en; for, thof
a asked such a favour, a never once put hand in pocket, or said, 'Dog,
will you drink?' Howsomever, that don't argufy in reverence of his being
in a hurry; and a man may be sometimes a little too judgmatical in his
conjectures." In all probability, this loquacious landlord would have
served the travellers effectually, had Peregrine heard him to an end;
but this impetuous youth, far from listening to the sequel of his
observations, interrupted him in the beginning of his career, by asking
eagerly which road they followed; and, having received the innkeeper's
directions, clapped spurs to his horse, commanding Pipes to make the
valet acquainted with the course, that they might attend him with all
imaginable despatch.

By the publican's account of their conduct, his former opinion was fully
confirmed. He plied his steed to the height of his mettle; and so much
was his imagination engrossed by the prospect of having Emilia in his
power, that he did not perceive the road on which he travelled was quite
different from that which led to the habitation of Mrs. Gauntlet. The
valet-de-chambre was an utter stranger to that part of the country; and,
as for Mr. Pipes, such considerations were altogether foreign to the
economy of his reflection.

Ten long miles had our hero rode, when his eyes were blessed with the
sight of the chaise ascending an hill, at the distance of a good league;
upon which he doubled his diligence in such a manner, that he gained
upon the carriage every minute, and at length approached so near to
it, that he could discern the lady and her conductor, with their heads
thrust out at the windows, looking back, and speaking to the driver
alternately, as if they earnestly besought him to augment the speed of
his cattle.

Being thus, as it were, in sight of port, while he crossed the road, his
horse happened to plunge into a cart-rut with such violence, that he
was thrown several yards over his head; and, the beast's shoulder being
slipped by the fal