By heavens, it's the couple, Pickwick,' exclaimed the old gentleman.

Would have been here before,' said the hostler, 'but they broke a

trace.'

'Tis them!' said Wardle, 'it is, by Jove! Chaise-and-four instantly! We

shall catch them yet before they reach the next stage. A guinea a-

piece, boys-be alive there - bustle about - there's good fellows.'

And with such admonitions as these, the old gentleman ran up and

down the yard, and bustled to and fro, in a state of excitement which

communicated itself to Mr Pickwick also; and under the influence of

which, that gentleman got himself into complicated entanglements

with harness, and mixed up with horses and wheels of chaises, in the

most surprising manner, firmly believing that by so doing he was

materially forwarding the preparations for their resuming their

journey.

Jump in - jump in!' cried old Wardle, climbing into the chaise, pulling

up the steps, and slamming the door after him. 'Come along! Make

haste!' And before Mr Pickwick knew precisely what he was about, he

felt himself forced in at the other door, by one pull from the old

gentleman and one push from the hostler; and off they were again.

'Ah! we are moving now,' said the old gentleman exultingly. They were

indeed, as was sufficiently testified to Mr Pickwick, by his constant

collision either with the hard wood-work of the chaise, or the body of

his companion.

Hold up!' said the stout old Mr Wardle, as Mr Pickwick dived head

foremost into his capacious waistcoat.

'I never did feel such a jolting in my life,' said Mr Pickwick.

Never mind,' replied his companion, 'it will soon be over. Steady,

steady.'

Mr Pickwick planted himself into his own corner, as firmly as he

could; and on whirled the chaise faster than ever.

They had travelled in this way about three miles, when Mr Wardle,

who had been looking out of the Window for two or three minutes,

suddenly drew in his face, covered with splashes, and exclaimed in

breathless eagerness -

Here they are!'

The Pickwick Papers