iver turned
away, and we thought the prospect of getting to Bangor in time had
decidedly improved. Still, there were more than forty miles between.
'I will take one of your doughnuts, madam,' said I, putting it into my
pocket, for I had been able to eat but little.
'Certainly,' said the landlady; 'take as many as you wish.'
There was something in her kindly tone that did me good. It cheered and
helped me more than she could know.
We were to pay our passage here to the returning driver. I had secured a
'through ticket' at C----, but my companions, having only English gold
with them, had not done so, having been assured by this same man that
they could just as well pay at Bangor, where they would obtain a higher
premium on their money. Now, however, he demanded his pay, and at first
was not disposed to allow any premium for the gold. This, of course,
excited their indignation, and some high words passed. However, the
matter was compromised by the driver giving them twenty per cent., when
gold was at that moment worth fifty at Bangor.
I had stolen from the room, and was hastily putting on my numerous
wrappings, when the Englishman came to me with what he called a 'dose,
which he thought would do me good.'
I took part of it, and then hesitated, for it contained strong
reminiscences of the 'pocket pistol.'
'Would you really advise me to take the rest?' said I gravely.
'I certainly would,' he replied, with conclusive solemnity. So I took
it, and I think it did 'do me good.'
'This is a hard journey for you,' said the landlady, compassionately
regarding my diminutive stature and frail aspect.
The driver was very impatient. She half apologized for him, saying, 'He
is very anxious to get through to-night. He doesn't like to go through
in the night always, for there are many dangerous places along the road;
but it is sleighing to-night, and not very dark, so he thinks he can do
very well.'
The urgency of my case, which the Englishman had represented to him,
with what other inducements I can only imagine, occasioned his unwonted
haste.
When we entered the coach once more for the long night ride, one of the
buffaloes was missing.
'It's over to the other stable,' said the driver, carelessly; 'twas left
over there by mistake. You shall have it when we get there.'
You would have thought, from his manner of speaking, that the 'other
stable' was just across the road, instead of being twenty miles away. As
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