224 FLIGHT. 



this I complied, though a little surprised 

 at his peremptory manner, and directed 

 the horsekeeper to take the hamper down 

 to the Doctor's house. 



Some few weeks after this, during which 

 time I continued my friendship with the 

 Doctor, on my arrival with the coach at 

 Redbourn in the morning, I observed rather 

 an unusual number of the inhabitants in 

 the road opposite the Inn where I pulled 

 up, apparently conversing upon some re- 

 cent occurrence that very much inte- 

 rested them. On my throwing down the 

 reins, getting off the box, and making 

 my way through the crowd, one of them, 

 who was acquainted with the Doctor as 

 well as myself, held out his hand, and, 

 with particular emphasis, said, "How are 

 ye, my hearty buck ? " which caused an 

 unwilling smile upon some of their 

 gloomy countenances. It did not re- 

 quire much further explanation to en- 



