irely clear, I was more
accustomed to be uneasy myself than to see others timid. Presently he
desisted and put back his whip in the holster with the air of a man
vanquished.

"So you would run away from me?" said I. "Come, come, that's not
English."

"Beg pardon, master; no offence meant," he said, touching his hat.

"And none taken!" cried I. "All I desire is a little gaiety by the way."

I understood him to say he didn't "take with gaiety."

"Then I will try you with something else," said I. "O, I can be all
things to all men, like the apostle! I dare to say I have travelled with
heavier fellows than you in my time, and done famously well with them.
Are you going home?"

"Yes, I'm a-goin' home, I am," he said.

"A very fortunate circumstance for me!" said I. "At this rate we shall
see a good deal of each other, going the same way; and, now I come to
think of it, why should you not give me a cast? There is room beside you
on the bench."

With a sudden snatch he carried the cart two yards into the roadway. The
horses plunged and came to a stop. "No, you don't!" he said, menacing me
with the whip. "None o' that with me."

"None of what?" said I. "I asked you for a lift, but I have no idea of
taking one by force."

"Well, I've got to take care of the cart and 'orses, I have," says he.
"I don't take up with no runagate vagabones, you see, else."

"I ought to thank you for your touching confidence," said I, approaching
carelessly nearer as I spoke. "But I admit the road is solitary
hereabouts, and no doubt an accident soon happens. Little fear of
anything of the kind with you! I like you for it, like your prudence,
like that pastoral shyness of disposition. But why not put it out of my
power to hurt? Why not open the door and bestow me here in the box, or
whatever you please to call it?" And I laid my hand demonstratively on
the body of the cart.

He had been timorous before; but at this he seemed to lose the power of
speech a moment, and stared at me in a perfect enthusiasm of fear.

"Why not?" I continued. "The idea is good. I should be safe in there if
I were the monster Williams himself. The great thing is to have me under
lock and key. For it does lock; it is locked now," said I, trying the
door. "_A propos_, what have you for a cargo? It must be precious."

He found not a word to answer.

Rat-tat-tat, I went upon the door like a well-drilled footman. "Any one
at home?" I said, and stooped to listen.