STARTING. 19 



communicative chap, as they usually are ; and 

 before we had proceeded many miles he had 

 sifted us down pretty well, and given us a very 

 good history of himself, family, and horses. 



One of us observed that the leaders didn't ap- 

 pear to be quite well matched. 



" Well matched ! Gentlemen, there never was 

 a pair of better-matched horses than them air 

 leaders. You see, the off one wants to do all 

 the work, and the nigh one is perfectly willing 

 he should." 



That wasn't bad, and we gave it the laugh it 

 deserved. The next year I got the witticism with- 

 out any suggestion on my part, and didn't laugh 

 quite so loud. I have heard it seven times, and 

 the worthy deacon seems to enjoy his little joke 

 more and more. I can see him now, gathering 

 himself up, and giving the " nigh one " a little 

 tingler on the left ear, as introductory. 



Well, here we are at Rumford, ten miles from 

 Bryant's Pond, and as many more to Andover, 

 where we are to spend the night and make our 

 preparations for departure to the lakes. The driver 

 informs us that we sup here. The landlord looks 

 inviting, and the table more so. We do full justice 

 to the meal ; but "six boiled eggs," Master Charles, 

 I will never confess to. We have disputed that 



