"Them lazy critters won't go fast anyhow," said he to Ellen; "they will take their own time; it ain't no use to cut them."
"Oh, no! Pray don't, if you please!" said Ellen, in a voice of earnest entreaty.
" 'Tain't fair, neither," continued Mr. Van Brunt, lashing his great whip from side to side without touching anything. "I have seen critters that would take any quantity of whipping to make them go, but them 'ere ain't of that kind; they'll work as long as they can stand, poor fellows!"
There was a little silence, during which Ellen eyed her rough charioteer, not knowing exactly what to make of him.
"I guess this is the first time you ever rid in an ox-cart, ain't it?"
"Yes," said Ellen; "I never saw one before."
"Han't you never seen an ox-cart! Well how do you like it?"
"I like it very much indeed. Have we much further to go before we get to aunt Fortune's house?"
" 'Aunt Fortune's house?' a pretty good bit yet. You see that mountain over there?" pointing with his whip to a hill directly west of them, and about a mile distant.
"Yes," said Ellen.