I, letting the shaft of the cart fall to the ground; 'is
it possible that they can be coming here?' My doubts on that point, if I
entertained any, were soon dispelled; the wheels, which had ceased moving
for a moment or two, were once again in motion, and were now evidently
moving down the winding path which led to my retreat. Leaving my cart, I
came forward and placed myself near the entrance of the open space, with
my eyes fixed on the path down which my unexpected, and I may say
unwelcome, visitors were coming. Presently I heard a stamping or
sliding, as if of a horse in some difficulty; then a loud curse, and the
next moment appeared a man and a horse and cart; the former holding the
head of the horse up to prevent him from falling, of which he was in
danger, owing to the precipitous nature of the path. Whilst thus
occupied, the head of the man was averted from me. When, however, he had
reached the bottom of the descent, he turned his head, and perceiving me,
as I stood bareheaded, without either coat or waistcoat, about two yards
from him, he gave a sudden start, so violent that the backward motion of
his hand had nearly flung the horse upon his haunches.

'Why don't you move forward?' said a voice from behind, apparently that
of a female; 'you are stopping up the way, and we shall be all down upon
one another'; and I saw the head of another horse overtopping the back of
the cart.

'Why don't you move forward, Jack?' said another voice, also a female,
yet higher up the path.

The man stirred not, but remained staring at me in the posture which he
had assumed on first perceiving me, his body very much drawn back, his
left foot far in advance of his right, and with his right hand still
grasping the halter of the horse, which gave way more and more, till it
was clean down on its haunches.

'What's the matter?' said the voice which I had last heard.

'Get back with you, Belle, Moll,' said the man, still staring at me;
'here's something not over canny or comfortable.'

'What is it?' said the same voice; 'let me pass, Moll, and I'll soon
clear the way'; and I heard a kind of rushing down the path.

'You need not be afraid,' said I, addressing myself to the man, 'I mean
you no harm; I am a wanderer like yourself--come here to seek for
shelter--you need not be afraid; I am a Roman chabo by matriculation--one
of the right sort, and no mistake--Good-day to ye, brother; I bid ye
welcome.'

The man eyed me suspic