In our rides about the neighbourhood we were generally in company with some of our cousins from the Rectory. But presently it became obvious to us that for picnic purposes we needed a four-wheeled conveyance. Accordingly we procured what is locally termed a truckamuck, i.e. a platform on four low wheels to sustain a barrel for watering the flower-beds. On this platform I placed and fastened three boxes, two long, and one short and higher than the others. The boxes were affixed at the edge of the platform, leaving a well or trough in the middle to contain provisions, a kettle and such other articles as we would be likely to need. Four posts at the corners sustained a top and back of
bed ticking, and the front and sides were draped with blue curtains fringed with yellow, that could be let down and close up the conveyance, constituting of it a blue box. The occupants of this carriage sat back to back, with the trough between, their legs hanging out at the side. The driver was provided with a horn and a whip. Although, officially, the conveyance was called "The Baring," yet in the neighbourhood it went by the name of "The Runaway Bedstead." Unhappily for us, at the turnpikes we were charged a shilling, as much as would be levied on a carriage and pair. On passing through a village, the driver sounded his horn, when, in spite of the objurgations of the schoolmaster, the scholars dashed forth, breaking up their classes, and abandoning their desks and copy-books, to have a sight of the Runaway Bedstead as it passed the educational establishment.
