The stranger was soon extricated, and the horses taken out; and the driver, requesting his passengers to await his return, set off to seek assistance at the nearest cottage. As to the coach itself proceeding farther until partially repaired, that was evidently out of the question; and so Harry observed to his companion, who did not appear very knowing in such matters.
“And how far may we be from S——, sir?” inquired he, upon receiving this not very agreeable intelligence.
“Fifteen miles at least,” replied Bolton.
“Indeed! so far, and is there no place near where I could procure a conveyance of any kind? I have an engagement there I particularly wished to keep to-morrow.”
“Really, I fear not; this is quite an out-of-the-way place: the driver can tell you better than I can, but I know the neighbourhood pretty well, and think you would have to send back to the Swan at B—— for horses.”
“It is very unfortunate, and it is past nine already; what is the nearest place, sir, where I could get decent accommodation for the night?”
“Why, the nearest place,” said Harry, hesitatingly, “is the ‘Crown and Thistle,’ about three miles off, but I can’t say much for the accommodation. Wo-ho,”—one of the horses, tired at last of standing in the drizzling rain, was showing symptoms of an immediate return to his stable. The stranger merely gave vent to a dissatisfied “Humph!” and they stood silently awaiting the approach of a light along the road, which betokened Joe’s return with assistance. The coach was soon righted, and set up against the side of a bank; and Mr Haines, having given charge to one of his aids-extraordinary to keep watch by it till dawn with a light, both to prevent accidents and abstraction of the luggage, announced his intention of returning with the horses to B——, offering to his inside passenger the choice of a ride back, or taking a nap in the coach till morning. “You won’t be long getting home, Mr Bolton, anyhow,”—and the pronoun was emphasised, to show that even this sympathy was little extended to his fellow-traveller.
“No, Joe, I must say you have been pretty considerate: as you were to break down, you could hardly have arranged it more handily for me. Just look me out my little carpet-bag, and I suppose you’ll expect an extra shilling for your performance to-night, eh?”
Joe gave a hoarse laugh, and proceeded to rummage the boot; and Harry took advantage of the opportunity to whisper a few inquiries about his fellow-passenger.
“Well, I be pretty sure, sir, it’s a Dr Bates, as preached at the opening on Tuesday. There was two or three black-coats came with him to the yard afore we started; he’s quite a top-sawyer among ’em, and can hold on for two hours good, best pace, they tell me. He’s gev’ out to preach over at S—— to-morrow morning. I see’d the printed bills stuck all over town to-day.”