THE FICKWICK CLUB. 87
But here another delay occurred. The boys were sleeping with such mysterious soundness, that it took rive minutes a-picce-to wake them. The hostler had somehow or other mislaid the key of the stable, and even when that was found, two sleepy helpers put the wrong harness on the wrong horses, and the whole process of harnessing had to be gone through afresh. Had Mr. Pickwick been alone, these multiplied obstacles would hare completely put an end to the pursuit at once, but old Wardle was not to be so easily daunted ; and he laid about him with such hearty good-will, cuffing this man, and pushing that ; strapping a buckle here, and taking in a link there, that the chaise was ready in a much shorter time than could reasonably have been expected, under so many difficulties.
They resumed their journey ; and certainly the prospect before them was by no means encouraging. The stage was fifteen miles long, the night was dark, the wind high, and the rain pouring in torrents. It wa» impossible to make any great way against such obstacles united : it was hard upon one o'clock already ; and nearly two hours were consume<l in getting to the end of the stage. Here, however, an object presented itself, which rc-kindled their hopes, and re-animated their drooping spirits.
" When did this chaise come in ? " cried old Wardle, leaping out of his own vehicle, and pointing to one covered with wet mud, which was standing in the yard.
- ' Not a quarter of an hour ago, Sir;" replied the hostler, to whom
the question was addressed.
" Lady and gentleman?" inquired Wardle, almost breathless with impatience.
" Yes, Sir."
" Tall gentleman — dress coat — long legs — thin body ? "
♦♦ Yes, Sir."
" Elderly lady — thin face — rather skinny— eh ? "
»♦ Yes, Srr."
- By Heavens, it's tliem, Pickwick," exclaimed the old gentleman.
" Would have been here before," said the hostler, " but they broke a trace."
- 'Tis them," said Wardle, " it is, by Jove I Chaise and four in-
stantly. We shall catch them yet, before they reach the next stage. A guinea a-piece, boys — be alive there — bustle about — there's good fellows."
And with such admonitions as these, the old gentleman ran up and down the yard, and bustled to and fro, in a state of excitement which communicated itself to Mr. Pickwick also ; and under the influence of which, that gentleman got himself into complicated entanglements with harness, and mixed up with horses and wheels of chaises, in the most surprising manner, firmly believing that by so doing, he was materially forwarding the preparations for their resuming their journey.
'* Jump in — jump in ! " cried old Wardle, climbing into the chaise, pulling up the steps, and slamming the door after him. ** Come along, make haste." And before Mr. Pickwick knew precisely what he was
