Page:Historic highways of America (Volume 12).djvu/173

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DICKENS ON PIONEER ROADS
169

ing his question or waiting for an answer.

Black Driver (still to the horses). 'Jiddy! Jiddy!'

Horses pull violently, drag the coach out of the hole, and draw it up a bank; so steep, that the black driver's legs fly up into the air, and he goes back among the luggage on the roof. But he immediately recovers himself, and cries (still to the horses),

'Pill!'

No effect. On the contrary, the coach begins to roll back upon No. 2, which rolls back upon No. 3, which rolls back upon No. 4, and so on, until No. 7 is heard to curse and swear, nearly a quarter of a mile behind.

Black Driver (louder than before). 'Pill!'

Horses make another struggle to get up the bank, and again the coach rolls backward.

Black Driver (louder than before).

'Pe-e-e-ill!'

Horses make a desperate struggle.

Black Driver (recovering spirits). 'Hi! Jiddy, Jiddy, Pill!'

Horses make another effort.