at first gently and humanely.  When out of sight of the house, Toner grinned at Timotheus, and Timotheus grinned back at Ben.  “It can’t be haylped, Timotheus,” remarked the latter in a low tone, “we’re bound to git back airly, ef they’s moer guyard mountin’ to be did.  So here goes, Serlizer or no Serlizer.”  The horses were pretty fresh, and they tore along, enjoying the fun, and answering with their heels to every playful flick of the whip.  The road was rough and hilly; the jolting almost threw the occupants of the box seat off the waggon that had no springs.  Old man Newcome groaned, and implored Ben, for the sake of Serlizer, to go easy or leave him on the roadside to die.  “Ef you don’t laike my teamin’,” said Toner, in a simulated huff, “I’ll quit.  Here, Timotheus, you had ought to know them hosses better’n me.”  Timotheus took the reins, and cried:  “Gerlang, we ain’t no time ter lose; rattle the brimstun an’ merlasses old malufacture over the stones, he’s ony a firebug as nobody owns.”  The delight of The Crew’s brother in getting off this new and improved version of an ancient couplet made him reckless.  He and Ben jumped into the air like shuttlecocks, and seemed to like it.  “I heern say,” remarked Toner, while moving momentarily skywards, “I heern tayll as this here joltin’ beats all the piulls and pads as ever was made for the livyer.”

“Yaas,” cheerfully responded Timotheus, coming down with a sounding bump; “myuns is like what the doctor out our way said to fayther wunst.  Says he, ‘Saul, your livyer’s tawpidd.’  So’s myun, Ben; it’s most tarble tawpidd.  Gerlang, yer lazy, good fer nawthun brutes; poor old man Newcome won’t get home this blessed night, the way yer a-goin’.”

The waggon reached the Newcome shanty.  The old man was unbound and lifted out into his own bed.  Strong as he was, he had fainted, which his charioteers were not sorry to see.  “He’s had an accident, Miss Newcome,” said Ben to the man’s wife; “but he’ll soon be all right.”  Fortunately, the doctor had done his duty well, and the shaking had failed to loosen the bandages over the wound.  The drivers got into the waggon again and drove home more gently, exchanging a few words with each other; one being:  “Guaiss old man Newcome’s out o’ mischief fer one night.”

While Bridesdale was being delivered from the presence of one unwelcome guest, the welcome ones of the front were discussing with the Squire the programme for the night.  He had made out a warrant for the arrest of Rawdon, should he again have the hardihood to turn up, and otherwise proposed to repeat the guards of the night before.  While the excursionists were at tea, the colonel and Mr. Terry had been walking about with an object in view; and the latter gentleman informed his son-in-law that “the cornel has a shplindid oiday in his moind.”  Colonel Morton was requested to favour the company with it, and proceeded to do so.  “From what infohmation I have had fuhnished me by my fellow-soldieh, Mr.