Well, you get along for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and have to stand still for minutes together, till something clears out into a side street, or the policeman interferes;you have to be ready for any chance -- to dash forward if there be an opening, and be quick as a rat-dog to see if there be room and if there be time, lest you get your own wheels locked or smashed, or the shaft of some other vehicle run into your chest or shoulder. All this is what you have to be ready for. If you want to get through London fast in the middle of the day it wants a deal of practice.
Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust my driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, and could trust his horse, which was a great thing too.
He very seldom used the whip; I knew by his voice, and his click, click, when he wanted to get on fast, and by the rein where I was to go;so there was no need for whipping; but I must go back to my story.
The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far as the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four minutes.
The young man put his head out and said anxiously, "I think I had better get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on.""I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry; "I think we shall be in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage is very heavy for you to carry, sir."Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, and then we had a good turn. In and out, in and out we went, as fast as horseflesh could do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time on London Bridge, for there was a whole train of cabs and carriages all going our way at a quick trot, perhaps wanting to catch that very train.
At any rate, we whirled into the station with many more, just as the great clock pointed to eight minutes to twelve o'clock.
"Thank God! we are in time," said the young man, "and thank you, too, my friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money can ever pay for. Take this extra half-crown.""No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir;but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter!
take this gentleman's luggage -- Dover line twelve o'clock train --that's it," and without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round to make room for other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, and drew up on one side till the crush was past.
"`So glad!' he said, `so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was that made him so anxious!"Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we were not moving.
On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing and chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as they said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know how much he had pocketed.
"A good deal more than I generally get," said he, nodding slyly;"what he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days.""Gammon!" said one.
"He's a humbug," said another; "preaching to us and then doing the same himself.""Look here, mates," said Jerry; "the gentleman offered me half a crown extra, but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how glad he was to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a quick run now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not yours.""Well," said Larry, "you'll never be a rich man.""Most likely not," said Jerry; "but I don't know that I shall be the less happy for that. I have heard the commandments read a great many times and I never noticed that any of them said, `Thou shalt be rich'; and there are a good many curious things said in the New Testament about rich men that I think would make me feel rather queer if I was one of them.""If you ever do get rich," said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder across the top of his cab, "you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find a curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor;you spend too much in whipcord."
"Well," said Larry, "what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go without it?""You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it;your whip is always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, and if it does not wear you out it wears your horse out;you know you are always changing your horses; and why?
Because you never give them any peace or encouragement.""Well, I have not had good luck," said Larry, "that's where it is.""And you never will," said the governor. "Good Luck is rather particular who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense and a good heart; at least that is my experience."Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men went to their cabs.
