himself, and to be conscious of his situation; he cast a scowling glance
at me, then one of the deepest malignity at the tall girl, who was still
walking about without taking much notice of what was going forward. At
last he looked at his right hand, which had evidently suffered from the
blow against the tree, and a half-stifled curse escaped his lips. The
vulgar woman now said something to him in a low tone, whereupon he looked
at her for a moment, and then got upon his legs. Again the vulgar woman
said something to him; her looks were furious, and she appeared to be
urging him on to attempt something. I observed that she had a clasped
knife in her hand. The fellow remained standing for some time as if
hesitating what to do; at last he looked at his hand, and, shaking his
head, said something to the woman which I did not understand. The tall
girl, however, appeared to overhear him, and, probably repeating his
words, said: "No, it won't do; you are right there, and now hear what I
have to say,--let bygones be bygones, and let us all shake hands, and
camp here, as the young man was saying just now". The man looked at her,
and then, without any reply, went to his horse, which was lying down
among the trees, and kicking it up, led it to the cart, to which he
forthwith began to harness it. The other cart and horse had remained
standing motionless during the whole affair which I have been recounting,
at the bottom of the pass. The woman now took the horse by the head, and
leading it with the cart into the open part of the dingle turned both
round, and then led them back, till the horse and cart had mounted a
little way up the assent; she then stood still and appeared to be
expecting the man. During this proceeding Belle had stood looking on
without saying anything; at last, perceiving that the man had harnessed
his horse to the other cart, and that both he and the woman were about to
take their departure, she said: "You are not going, are you?" Receiving
no answer, she continued: "I tell you what, both of you, Black John, and
you Moll, his mort, this is not treating me over civilly,--however, I am
ready to put up with it, and to go with you if you like, for I bear no
malice. I'm sorry for what has happened, but you have only yourselves to
thank for it. Now, shall I go with you, only tell me?" The man made no
manner of reply, but flogged his horse. The woman, however, whose
passions were probably under less cont