So uncap, Messrs. Forester and A---, and put the
bright little exploders into your pockets, where they will be both safe
and handy! And now, birds are in, drinks are in, dogs and guns are in,
and now let us be off!"
No more words were wasted; the landlord's bill was paid, Frank Forester
and Timothy got up behind, the Commodore took the front seat, Harry
sprang, reins in hand, to the box, and off they bowled, with lamps and
cigars burning merrily, for it was now quite dark, along the well-known
mountain road, which Archer boasted he could drive as safely in the most
gloomy night of winter as in a summer noon. And so it proved this time,
for though he piloted his horses with a cool head and delicate finger
through every sort of difficulty that a road can offer, up long and
toilsome hills without a rail between the narrow track and the deep
precipice, down sharp and stony pitches, over loose clattering bridges,
along wet marshy levels, he never seemed in doubt or trouble for a
moment, but talked and laughed away, as if he were a mere spectator.
After they had gone a few miles on their way--"you broke off short,
Archer," said the Commodore, "in the middle of your dissertation on the
natural history and habits of the woodcock, turning a propos des bottes
to the cruelty of killing them in midsummer.
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