down under an apple tree and fell to eating, the other boy eat too, but still urged me to obey my orders; I was
resolved to disobey, let the consequences be what they
would. However, he, by his importunity, at length got
me down upon the marsh, we poled one cock of hay off
the marsh, when we saw the old gentleman coming, full
drive, Jehu-like; down he came, when, lo and behold,
we had gotten one cock of hay only, in a condition to be
taken upon the cart; what was to be done—to go on to
the marsh was dangerous in the extreme, to stop then to pole it off would not do, the time would not allow it.
O, my grandsire was in a woful passion. I stood aloof.
Whose fault was it, he inquired; the blame was quickly
laid to my account, and justly too, for I was the only
culprit. The old gentleman came at me, hammer and
tongs, with his six feet cartwhip. Ah, thought I to myself, good legs, do your duty now, if ever; I houghed the gravel, or rather the marsh, in good earnest. There
were twenty people, or more, near us at work; they all
suspended their labour to see the race. But I was too
light-footed for the old gentleman, and the people on the
marsh setting up a laugh, it rather disconcerted him;
he, however, chased me about thirty or forty rods when
he gave over the pursuit and returned, I ran as much further before I dared to look back; but hearing no sound of footsteps behind me, I at last ventured to look over my shoulder and saw him almost back to his team; I
followed him in my turn, but not quite so nimble as I went from him. He endeavoured to spit a little of his spite upon the other youngster, but he stept close up to him, so that he could not use his whip; and then plead his own cause so well that the old gentleman said no more to him.
He then had to venture upon the marsh at all events. I took a rake and raked after the cart, but took especial care to keep out of harm's way, till the hay was all upon the cart; I was then called upon to help bind the load; I complied, but I kept on tiptoe all the time, ready to start in case I saw any symptoms of war; but all passed off—we got off the marsh safe and without any hindrance; and it was well for me, after all, that we met with no disaster.
And here ends my Introductory Chapter. If the read-
