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a surer…footed horse than the poor beast now urged forward to the
utmost extent of his powers。 Sharp flints and stones rolled from
under his hoofs continually； the rider could scarcely see beyond
the animal’s head； or farther on either side than his own arm
would have extended。 At that time； too； all the roads in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis were infested by footpads or
highwaymen； and it was a night； of all others； in which any evil…
disposed person of this class might have pursued his unlawful
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Barnaby Rudge 36
calling with little fear of detection。
Still； the traveller dashed forward at the same reckless pace；
regardless alike of the dirt and wet which flew about his head； the
profound darkness of the night； and the probability of
encountering some desperate characters abroad。 At every turn
and angle； even where a deviation from the direct course might
have been least expected； and could not possibly be seen until he
was close upon it； he guided the bridle with an unerring hand； and
kept the middle of the road。 Thus he sped onward； raising himself
in the stirrups； leaning his body forward until it almost touched
the horse’s neck； and flourishing his heavy whip above his head
with the fervour of a madman。
There are times when； the elements being in unusual
commotion； those who are bent on daring enterprises； or agitated
by great thoughts； whether of good or evil； feel a mysterious
sympathy with the tumult of nature； and are roused into
corresponding violence。 In the midst of thunder； lightning； and
storm； many tremendous deeds have been committed； men； self…
possessed before； have given a sudden loose to passions they could
no longer control。 The demons of wrath and despair have striven
to emulate those who ride the whirlwind and direct the storm； and
man； lashed into madness with the roaring winds and boiling
waters； has become for the time as wild and merciless as the
elements themselves。
Whether the traveller was possessed by thoughts which the fury
of the night had heated and stimulated into a quicker current； or
was merely impelled by some strong motive to reach his journey’s
end； on he swept more like a hunted phantom than a man； nor
checked his pace until； arriving at some cross roads； one of which
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Barnaby Rudge 37
led by a longer route to the place whence he had lately started； he
bore down so suddenly upon a vehicle which was coming towards
him； that in the effort to avoid it he well…nigh pulled his horse
upon his haunches； and narrowly escaped being thrown。
‘Yoho！’ cried the voice of a man。 ‘What’s that？ Who goes there？’
‘A friend！’ replied the traveller。
‘A friend！’ repeated the voice。 ‘Who calls himself a friend and
rides like that； abusing Heaven’s gifts in the shape of horseflesh；
and endangering； not only his own neck （which might be no great
matter） but the necks of other people？’
‘You have a lantern there； I see；’ said the traveller dismounting；
‘lend it me for a moment。 You have wounded my horse； I think；
with your shaft or wheel。’
‘Wounded him！’ cried the other； ‘if I haven’t killed him； it’s no
fault of yours。 What do you mean by galloping along the king’s
highway like that； eh？’
‘Give me the light；’ returned the traveller； snatching it from his
hand； ‘and don’t ask idle questions of a man who is in no mood for
talking。’
‘If you had said you were in no mood for talking before； I should
perhaps have been in no mood for lighting；’ said the voice。
‘Hows’ever as it’s the poor horse that’s damaged and not you； one
of you is welcome to the light at all events—but it’s not the crusty
one。’
The traveller returned no answer to this speech； but holding
the light near to his panting and reeking beast； examined him in
limb and carcass。 Meanwhile； the other man sat very composedly
in his vehicle； which was a kind of chaise with a depository for a
large bag of tools； and watched his proceedings with a careful eye。
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Barnaby Rudge 38
The looker…on was a round； red…faced； sturdy yeoman； with a
double chin； and a voice husky with good living； good sleeping；
good humour； and good health。 He was past the prime of life； but
Father Time is not always a hard parent； and； though he tarries
for none of his children； often lays his hand lightly upon those who
have used him well； making them old men and women inexorably
enough； but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full
vigour。 With such people the grey head is but the impression of
the old fellow’s hand in giving them his blessing； and every
wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well…spent life。
The person whom the traveller had so abruptly encountered
was of this kind： bluff； hale； hearty； and in a green old age： at
peace with himself； and evidently disposed to be so with all the
world。 Although muffled up in divers coats and handkerchiefs—
one of which； passed over his crown； and tied in a convenient
crease of his double chin； secured his three…cornered hat and bob…
wig from blowing off his head—there was no disguising his plump
and comfortable figure； neither did certain dirty finger…marks
upon his face give it any other than an odd and comical
expression； through which its natural good humour shone with
undiminished lustre。
‘He is not hurt；’ said the traveller at length； raising his head and
the lantern together。
‘You have foun