"Oh, I will be good! I promise--I swear, I will be good! I'll say my prayers! I'll not get drunk any more! I do not want to go inside--I'd rather walk a hundred miles and run by night and day, than have this carriage stop for me, and hear----" "Who are you? What are you doing here?" asked Mr. Crymes. "Some of you bring the lantern. Let me look at him. Is he a footpad?" "No--never--never robbed any one in my life. I pray you do not ask me to step in. I thank thee, I had rather walk than gather to thy side. I really will be good. 'Pon my soul I will. Drive on, coachee!" "Why--'fore Heaven!" exclaimed Mr. Crymes, "this is Mr. Solomon Gibbs--and, the worse for liquor. Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Gibbs!" "Eh!" said the gentleman, coming to the coach door, "why, by cock! it isn't my Ladye at all! By my soul, you must excuse me, Master Crymes. I was in that state of fright! At this time of night, and on Black Down! I thought it could be no other than the Death Coach, and that my Ladye wi' the ashen face was inside, and would make me ride by her." Then half-humorously, but half-scared still, and not wholly sober, Mr. Solomon Gibbs trolled forth in broken tones, I'd rather walk a hundred miles And run by night and day, Than have that carriage halt for me And hear my Ladye say-- "Now pray step in and make no din, Step in with me to ride; There's room I trow, by me for you, And all the world beside." "Why, how came you here?" asked Mr. Crymes. "My men took you for a highwayman, and might have fired their holsters or carbines at you." "And I might ask, how came you here at night, in your coach! By cock! You do not know the scare you gave me, at the very midnight--too--and I on the very road that my Ladye goes over in her Death Coach! But--I thought it stopped for me, and that upset my mind altogether. When I saw something--black horses, and a coach coming along, I tried to skip out of the way and hide somewhere, but, not a hiding-place could I find on the moor. I did suppose at first that it was on its way for my poor niece--for Urith, but when it stopped--when it stopped--" he shivered. "I felt my heart go into my boots. And I have been looking for him everywhere, in every ale-house, and not so much as a thread of his coat, nor the breath of a word as to his whereabouts, and she--so ill--dying. I should not be surprised, dead. By cock! when I saw the coach come along, and at or about midnight, I made sure my Ladye was on her way to Willsworthy, to fetch Urith; but when the coach stopped--when it stopped--" again he shuddered. "Whom are you seeking?" asked Mr. Crymes.