“So we should have been, but for accidents,” struck in Drysdale.
“Well, at any rate, what we did was to drive into Farringdon, instead of Hungerford, both horses dead done up, at twelve o'clock, after missing our way about twenty times.”
“Because you would put in your oar,” said Drysdale.
“Then grub again,” went on Blake, “and an hour to bait the horses. I knew we were as likely to get to Jericho as to Hungerford. However, he would start; but, luckily, about two miles from Farringdon, old Satan bowled quietly into a bank, broke a shaft, and deposited us then and there. He wasn't such a fool as to be going to Hungerford at that time of day; the first time in his wicked old life that I ever remember seeing him do anything that pleased me.”
“Come, now,” said Drysdale, “do you mean to say you ever sat behind a better wheeler, when he's in a decent temper?”
“Can't say,” said Blake; “never sat behind him in a good temper, that I can remember.”
“I'll trot him five miles out and home in a dog-cart, on any road out of Oxford, against any horse you can bring, for a fiver.”
“Done!” said Blake.
“But were you upset?” said Tom. “How did you get into the bank?”
“Why, you see,” said Drysdale, “Jessy,—that's the little blood-mare, my leader,—is very young, and as shy and skittish as the rest of her sex. We turned a corner sharp, and came right upon a gipsy encampment. Up she went into the air in a moment, and then turned right around and came head on at the cart. I gave her the double thong across her face to send her back again, and Satan, seizing the opportunity, rushed against the bank, dragging her with him, and snapping the shaft.”