230 



JOURNEY ACROSS 



grumbling of the postmistress, who was not at 

 all pleased at receiving bits of paper instead of 

 rials for her horses, I insisted upon having two 

 more than usual, for changing on the road when 

 the others were fatigued. We gained this 

 point only after much debate, and a faint en- 

 deavour on my part to conciliate the angry lady 

 by a compliment to her good looks, — which was 

 not very graciously received. After we had 

 made some progress, the boy who rode one 

 and led the other horse, either would not, or 

 could not, ride fast enough to keep up with us ; 

 and I suspected that he was treacherously 

 lagging behind in order to make off and save 

 himself the trouble of a long ride. I therefore 

 began flogging on the horse before me ; a mea- 

 sure of which I repented much ; for the leading 

 rein slipped from his hands by accident, or on 

 purpose, and away darted the loose horse, like 



