the toll-gate. John called very loud and thumped upon the door: the man was soon out and flung open the gate. "Now," said John, "do you keep the gate open for the Doctor; here's the money," and off we went again. There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; John said to me, "Now Beauty, do your best," and so I did; I wanted no whip nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather who won the race at Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came to the bridge, John pulled me up a little and patted my neck. "Well done, Beauty! good old fellow," he said. He would have let me go slower, but my spirit was up, and I was off again as fast as before. The air was frosty, the moon was bright, it was very pleasant; we came through a village, then through a dark wood, then uphill, then downhill, till after an eight miles run we came to the town, through the streets and into the Market Place. It was all quite still except the clatter of my feet on the stones—everybody was asleep. The church clock struck three as we drew up at Doctor White's door. John rung the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like thunder. A window was thrown up, and Doctor White in his nightcap, put his head out and said, "What do you want?"
"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once, he thinks she will die if you cannot get there—here is a note."
"Wait," he said, "I will come."
