Bless my soul!' exclaimed the agonised Mr Pickwick; 'there's the other

horse running away!'

It was but too true. The animal was startled by the noise, and the

reins were on his back. The results may be guessed. He tore off with

the four-wheeled chaise behind him, and Mr Tupman and Mr

Snodgrass in the four-wheeled chaise. The heat was a short one. Mr

Tupman threw himself into the hedge, Mr Snodgrass followed his

example, the horse dashed the four - wheeled chaise against a wooden

bridge, separated the wheels from the body, and the bin from the

perch; and finally stood stock still to gaze upon the ruin he had made.

The first care of the two unspilt friends was to extricate their

unfortunate companions from their bed of quickset - a process which

gave them the unspeakable satisfaction of discovering that they had

sustained no injury, beyond sundry rents in their garments, and

various lacerations from the brambles. The next thing to be done was

to unharness the horse. This complicated process having been

effected, the party walked slowly forward, leading the horse among

them, and abandoning the chaise to its fate.

An hour's walk brought the travellers to a little road-side public-

house, with two elm-trees, a horse trough, and a signpost, in front;

one or two deformed hay-ricks behind, a kitchen garden at the side,

and rotten sheds and mouldering outhouses jumbled in strange

confusion all about it. A red-headed man was working in the garden;

and to him Mr Pickwick called lustily, 'Hollo there!'

The red-headed man raised his body, shaded his eyes with his hand,

and stared, long and coolly, at Mr Pickwick and his companions.

Hollo there!' repeated Mr Pickwick.

Hollo!' was the red-headed man's reply.

How far is it to Dingley Dell?'

Better er seven mile.'

Is it a good road?'

No, 'tain't.' Having uttered this brief reply, and apparently satisfied

himself with another scrutiny, the red-headed man resumed his work.

We want to put this horse up here,' said Mr Pickwick; 'I suppose we

can, can't we?' 'Want to put that ere horse up, do ee?' repeated the

red- headed man, leaning on his spade.

The Pickwick Papers