"Got eggs—lemme out—Ande—lemme out!"
The horse stood stock still, refusing to budge an inch forward, and trembling in great terror. In vain the fearful man began to belabour and kick his leathery sides; the animal would not go forward, but began to uneasily sidle around and around. The butting and bellowing of Dick still continued, with little intermission. Greggs ceased singing, the great drops of perspiration stood out in beads on his face, and with another frantic effort he kicked his horse's sides in an agony of fear. Then, as the butting was renewed with greater force, a cry came from Greggs's lips:
"Oh, Mr. Devil, 'ave mercy 'pon me!"
Dick was indefatigable in his butting and bellowing, but even his patience began to give way and he began to swear in a mild way.
"Damme, Ande, come take eggs!"
Each word was punctuated by a savage butt from Dick's great head on the door.
"Oh, no, Mr. Devil,—not that—Greggs done no 'arm," mistaking Dick's cry for the devil's warning "Damnation to Greggs."
Again came the stifled underground roar, coming forth with a muffled: "Take—(crash)—eggs—(crash)—damme—(crash)"—and a word beginning with h.
"Mercy, Mr. Devil, doan't 'ee take Greggs there. Ah, why did I leave the hangel tavern!"