Through this dark, dreary track, the
road ran straight as the bird flies, supported on the trunks of trees,
constituting what is here called a corduroy road; an article which,
praise be to all the gods, is disappearing now so rapidly, that this is
the only bit to be found in the civilized regions of New York--and
bordered to the right and left by ditches of black tenacious mire.
Beyond this we scaled another sandy hillock, and pulled up at a little
wayside tavern, at the door of which Harry set himself lustily to
halloa.
"Why, John; hilloa, hillo; John Riker!"
Whereon, out came, stooping low to pass under the lintel of a very fair
sized door, one of the tallest men I ever looked upon; his height, too,
was exaggerated by the narrowness of his chest and shoulders, which
would have been rather small for a man of five foot seven; but to make
up for this, his legs were monstrous, his arms muscular, and his whole
frame evidently powerful and athletic, though his gait was slouching,
and his air singularly awkward and unhandy.
"Why, how do, Mr. Archer? I hadn't heerd you was in these pairts--arter
woodcock, I reckon?"
"Yes, John, as usual; and you must go along with us, and show us the
best ground.
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