46 THE EXHILARATIONS OF THE ROAD. 



whom you ride with, so he be not a pickpocket ; for 

 both of you will, very likely, settle down closer and 

 firmer in your reserve, shaken down like a measure 

 of corn by the jolting as the journey proceeds. But 

 walking is a more vital copartnership; the relation is 

 a closer and more sympathetic one, and you do not 

 feel like walking ten paces with a stranger without 

 speaking to him. 



Hence the fastidiousness of the professional walker 

 in choosing or admitting a companion, and hence the 

 truth of a remark of Emerson that you will generally 

 fare better to take your dog than to invite your 

 neighbor. You cur-dog is a true pedestrian, and 

 your neighbor is very likely a small politician. The 

 dog enters thoroughly into the spirit of the enter- 

 prise ; he is not indifferent or preoccupied ; he is con- 

 stantly sniffing adventure, laps at every spring, looks 

 upon every field and wood as a new world to be ex- 

 plored, is ever on some fresh trail, knows something 

 important will happen a little farther on, gazes with 

 the true wonder-seeing eyes, whatever the spot or 

 whatever the road finds it good to be there in 

 short, is just that happy, delicious, excursive vaga- 

 bond that touches one at so many points, and whose 

 human prototype in a companion robs miles and 

 leagues of half their power and fatigue. 



Persons who find themselves spent in a short walk 

 to the market or the post-office, or to do a little shop- 

 ping, wonder how it is that their pedestrian friends 

 can compass so many weary miles and not fall down 



