'Very soon, I reckon. He was sentenced to fifty lashes a week ago.'
'It'll do 'im good; I'd given 'im more'n thet. He war allers up ter dealin' with nigs.'
The road, when we started, was in a very bad condition, and as we proceeded it grew gradually worse, till, in the vicinity of the runs where we then were, it had become almost impassable. We frequently turned off into the woods and open fields to avoid the worst places, but even there the jolting of the coach was so violent that I momentarily expected our 'lady' passenger would roll off into the mud. Seeing that she was in absolute danger, and being also willing to dispense with her refined society, I finally said to her:
'Would you not prefer an inside seat?'
'Yas, I would; but I han't th' money fur't. The' axed so like durnation fur totein' me in thar, I couldn't stan' it, no how.'
'What fare did she pay, driver?' I asked of the Jehu.
'Half-price.'
'That's enough for seventy miles over a road like this. Let her get inside.'
'Karn't, stranger, 'tan't 'lowed, (d'rot yer dirty hide—you, Jake—g'up!) the old man would raise 'tic'lar (wha 'bout—g'lang, ye lazy critter) music ef I done thet.'
'How much more do you want?' I inquired.