Page:George Dobson's expedition to hell.pdf/4

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answered, that this was the place they were bound to, so he might draw up, dismiss them, and return. He did so, alighted from the dickie, wondered at his foaming horses, and forthwith opened the coach door, held the aim of his hat with the one hand, and with the other demanded his fare.

'You have driven us in fine style, George,' said the elder gentleman, 'and deserve to be remembered; but it is needless for us to settle just now, as you must meet us here again to-morrow precisely at twelve o’clock.'

'Very well, Sir,' says George, 'there is likewise an old account, you know, and some toll-money;' which indeed there was.

'I perceived no tolls to day, your honour,' said George.

'But I perceived one, and not very far back neither, which I suspect you will have difficulty in repassing without a regular ticket. What a pity I have no change on me,'

'I never saw it otherwise with your honour,' said George jocularly; 'what a pity it is you should always suffer yourself to run short of change.'

'I will give you that which is as good, George,' said the gentleman; and be gave him a ticket written with red ink, which the honest ceachman could not read. He, however, put it into his sleeve. and inquired of his employer where that same toll was which he had not observed, and how it was they did not ask the toll from him as he came through? The gentlemen replied, by informing George that there was no road out of that domain, and whosoever entered it must either remain in it, or return by the same path; so they never asked any toll till the person’s return, when they were at times (illegible text) but that, ticket would answer his turn,