At last Johnny reached Hergnies, and where should he go to but to the parson’s, of course, to get married! Then it occurred to him that he had never asked the maid if she would have him! He put down the sack and opened it.
‘I say, maid,’ quoth he, ‘shall us get married, us two?’
‘G-r-r-r-r-r-r!’ says the maid.
Johnny, in a fright, let go his hold of the cord, the sack fell open, out jumped Rumble, and flew at his throat.
Johnny sprang into a willow-tree and climbed up it, but, lo and behold! the tree was rotten, and down came tree and Johnny and all on the back of Rumble! Now, Rumble was expecting nothing of that sort, and, with one wild yowl, he flew away like the wind, and never stopped till the town gates of Condé were closed behind him!
