INFINITE RASCALITY. 265 



sooner walk than have to do with such a rascal. 

 Besides, as we have sent for a carriage from off the 

 public stand, we are bound to wait and pay for it." 



Up came the omnibus contractor's carriage. 



'' Here's a carriage, then," he said ; " if you don't 

 take it, you'll lose the packet, but you must pay me 

 five francs before you get in." 



This, I believe, was more than double what he had 

 any legal right to charge. My young companion 

 on this grew still more excited than ever, and said he 

 would sooner stay there all night than submit. So, 

 feeling just as indignant as he did, as the uncom- 

 fortable fact stared me in the face that I should never 

 have time to go to the Consul's for my passport, I 

 walked up to the omnibus contractor, and told him 

 he and his carriage might go to the devil together. 

 Had we taken this fellow's carriage, I have since 

 found, that in the first instance, before we stirred, 

 he would have had his five francs. When we had 

 reached the quay on the eve of the starting of 

 the packet, his driver would have demanded Jive 

 francs more, and if I had refused it, he would have 

 given me in charge to some of the town police, who 

 are in league with these drivers, and who would have 

 detained me, or induced me to submit to the robbery 

 under the fear of losing the packet, by even five 



