lone, and with
nothing in your 'ands--more like a gentleman, you know. And you might
say that your servant and baggage was a-waiting for you up the road. I
think I could manage, somehow, to make a shift with all them dratted
things--leastways if you was to give me a 'and up with them at the
start."

"And I would see you far enough before I allowed you to try, Mr.
Rowley!" I cried. "Why, you would be quite defenceless! A footpad that
was an infant child could rob you. And I should probably come driving by
to find you in a ditch with your throat cut. But there is something in
your idea, for all that; and I propose we put it in execution no farther
forward than the next corner of a lane."

Accordingly, instead of continuing to aim for Aylesbury, we headed by
cross-roads for some point to the northward of it, whither I might
assist Rowley with the baggage, and where I might leave him to await my
return in the post-chaise.

It was snowing to purpose, the country all white, and ourselves walking
snowdrifts, when the first glimmer of the morning showed us an inn upon
the highwayside. Some distance off, under the shelter of the corner of
the road and a clump of trees, I loaded Rowley with the whole of our
possessions, and watched him till he staggered into safety to the doors
of the "Green Dragon," which was the sign of the house. Thence I walked
briskly into Aylesbury, rejoicing in my freedom and the causeless good
spirits that belong to a snowy morning; though, to be sure, long before
I had arrived the snow had again ceased to fall, and the eaves of
Aylesbury were smoking in the level sun. There was an accumulation of
gigs and chaises in the yard, and a great bustle going forward in the
coffee-room and about the doors of the inn. At these evidences of so
much travel on the road I was seized with a misgiving lest it should be
impossible to get horses, and I should be detained in the precarious
neighbourhood of my cousin. Hungry as I was, I made my way first of all
to the postmaster, where he stood--a big, athletic, horsey-looking man,
blowing into a key in the corner of the yard.

On my making my modest request, he awoke from his indifference into what
seemed passion.

"A po'-shay and 'osses!" he cried. "Do I look as if I 'ad a po'-shay and
'osses? Damn me, if I 'ave such a thing on the premises. I don't _make_
'osses and chaises--I _'ire_ 'em. You might be God Almighty!" said he;
and instantly, as if he had observed me