Hunting in the Golden Days. 19 



It is lovely weather for a trip of this kind, especially 

 with so pleasant an object for its destination. Mr. 

 Goodbery is pitched about like a parched pea on a 

 drum, as the heavy carriage ploughs through the deep 

 ruts. 



They soon reach the summit of a hill, whence they 

 command a view of the surrounding scenery. On the 

 top of this hill is erected a gibbet, where the remains of 

 a highwayman hang in chains, the creaking of the rusty 

 iron making a mournful accompaniment to the whistling 

 of the wind through the bare branches of the trees. 

 Such spectacles as these are apt to detract from the 

 beauty of the view, but they are put there with an 

 object, and, doubtless, they have a salutary effect on 

 many. 



As they descend the hill the pace becomes brisker, 

 and it is evident to Mr. Goodbery that the rate is 

 becoming rather too furious. The stones rattle beneath 

 the horses' feet, and the oscillation is so great that our 

 hero finds himself bumping about on the floor of the 

 carriage. Suddenly there is a tremendous lurch, the 

 ponderous vehicle for a moment is balanced on two 

 wheels, then, with a crash, it falls on its side, and throws 

 our friend nearly through the front panels on to the 

 coach-box. Luckily, the carriage is well padded inside, 

 and Goodbery, who is unhurt, soon manages to crawl 

 out through the open window. Unfortunately, however, 

 he finds both his trusty horses down, and with their 

 knees so badly cut and damaged, that the coachman, 

 who has fortunately escaped uninjured, informs his 

 master that they will be unable to proceed further, 

 even if the coach is sufficiently sound to do so. The 

 horses are led off to an adjoining farmstead, and a 

 couple of others enlisted from the plough to take the 



