"She has no time to kick if she goes at this pace," I answered; "keep her straight."
The speed continued unabated for some time, and we were both silent. I watched the road as far in advance as I could see, in dread of some waggon, or coach, or sudden turn, or even a turnpike gate, for the chances would have been greatly against an agreeable termination.
"I'll tell you what," cried Jack, turning round to me, "I think I've found out a way of paying my losses."
"Indeed! but can't you manage in the mean time to stop the mare?"
"Poh! let her go. I think rapid motion is a great help to the intellect. I feel quite sure I can pay my bets without putting my hand into my pocket."
"How? Pull the near check. She'll be in the ditch."
"Why, I think I shall publish a novel."
I could scarcely keep from laughing, though a gardener's cart was two hundred yards in advance.
"You write a novel! Wouldn't you like to build a pyramid at the same time?"
"We've given that old fellow a fright on the top of the cabbage," said Jack, going within an inch of the wheels of the cart. "He'll think we've got Cotherstone in harness. But what do you mean about a pyramid?"