showed him that the old gentleman had
not altogether got over his dislike to the calling he had resolved to
follow.

In a few minutes more, mounted on a stout cob, with a serviceable pair
of pistols in his holsters, he was jogging along the road to Cambridge
by the side of Master Brinsmead, accompanied by an ample number of
drovers in charge of one of the largest droves of cattle which had for
some time past left the Trent valley. It may easily be imagined that
such a journey, begun in summer time, continued at short stages, with
frequent delays at towns, and lonely inns, and farm-houses, was full of
interest to Jack, who had only made one short trip of the sort before.
The long droves of cattle went slowly along the roads, which in most
places were little better than causeways roughly raised from the mud
that lay on either side in bad weather. Even the best highways were
allowed to fall into a miserable condition, so that carriages could with
difficulty traverse them, except in the immediate neighbourhood of
London and some of the larger cities. The hedge-rows every where
afforded ample shade, and the wide green margins of the lanes gave space
for the herd to lie down during the heat of the day. At such times Jack
would pursue his beloved sport of angling--for he was never willing to
be idle--and many a delicious repast of trout, and chub, and barbel did
he broil over the drovers' gipsy fire. On such occasions Will Brinsmead
seldom failed to bring forth his well-worn Bible, or his beloved
Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," from which, lying down with his elbow on
the grass, he would read half aloud to himself, raising his voice if he
saw any one approaching near enough to listen. Jack was frequently
among Brinsmead's auditors.

These quiet rests were generally succeeded by the bustle which was to be
found in the various towns and markets through which they passed; but
though for the moment the impressions received appear to have worn off,
in after-years Jack remembered his old friend's quaint remarks with no
small amount of satisfaction and profit.

Brinsmead's droves were often joined by others belonging to different
masters. They usually travelled as far as possible in the earliest
morning hours, to secure the freedom of the roads. On all occasions the
drovers were armed with various weapons to defend their charge from the
cattle-stealers who were too often apt to hang upon their skirts, ready
to carry off any