Page:Black Beauty (1877).djvu/178

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174
BLACK BEAUTY.

great clock pointed to eight minutes to twelve o'clock. "Thank God! we are in time," said the young man, "and thank you too, my friend, and your good horse; you have saved me more than money can ever pay for; take this extra half-crown."

"No sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir, but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here! porter! take this gentleman's luggage—Dover line—twelve o'clock train—that's it," and without waiting for another word, Jerry wheeled me round to make room for other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, and drew up on one side till the crush was past.

"'So glad!' he said, 'so glad!' poor young fellow! I wonder what it was that made him so anxious!" Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear, when we were not moving.

On Jerry's return to the rank, there was a good deal of laughing and chaffing at him, for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as they said, all against his principles; and they wanted to know how much he had pocketed. "A good deal more than I generally get," said he, nodding slily; "what he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days."

"Gammon!" said one.

"He's a humbug," said another, "preaching to us, and then doing the same himself."

"Look here, mates," said Jerry, "the gentleman offered me half-a-crown extra, but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me, to see how glad he