The Romany Rye | Page 8

he might be dead, but, on looking into
the tent, I found him still buried in the soundest sleep. "He must surely
be descended from one of the seven sleepers," said I, as I turned away
and resumed my work. My work finished, I took a little oil, leather, and
sand, and polished the pin as well as I could; then, summoning Belle,
we both went to the chaise, where, with her assistance, I put on the
wheel. The linch- pin which I had made fitted its place very well, and
having replaced the other, I gazed at the chaise for some time with my
heart full of that satisfaction which results from the consciousness of
having achieved a great action; then, after looking at Belle in the hope
of obtaining a compliment from her lips, which did not come, I
returned to the dingle, without saying a word, followed by her. Belle
set about making preparations for breakfast; and I, taking the kettle,
went and filled it at the spring. Having hung it over the fire, I went to
the tent in which the postillion was still sleeping, and called upon him
to arise. He awoke with a start, and stared around him at first with the
utmost surprise, not unmixed, I could observe, with a certain degree of
fear. At last, looking in my face, he appeared to recollect himself. "I
had quite forgot," said he, as he got up, "where I was, and all that
happened yesterday. However, I remember now the whole affair,
thunder-storm, thunder-bolt, frightened horses, and all your kindness.
Come, I must see after my coach and horses; I hope we shall be able to
repair the damage." "The damage is already quite repaired," said I, "as
you will see, if you come to the field above." "You don't say so," said
the postillion, coming out of the tent; "well, I am mightily beholden to
you. Good morning, young gentlewoman," said he, addressing Belle,
who, having finished her preparations, was seated near the fire. "Good
morning, young man," said Belle: "I suppose you would be glad of
some breakfast; however, you must wait a little, the kettle does not
boil." "Come and look at your chaise," said I; "but tell me how it
happened that the noise which I have been making did not awake you;
for three-quarters of an hour at least I was hammering close at your
ear." "I heard you all the time," said the postillion, "but your
hammering made me sleep all the sounder; I am used to hear

hammering in my morning sleep. There's a forge close by the room
where I sleep when I'm at home, at my inn; for we have all kinds of
conveniences at my inn--forge, carpenter's shop, and wheelwright's,--so
that when I heard you hammering, I thought, no doubt, that it was the
old noise, and that I was comfortable in my bed at my own inn." We
now ascended to the field, where I showed the postillion his chaise. He
looked at the pin attentively, rubbed his hands, and gave a loud laugh.
"Is it not well done?" said I. "It will do till I get home," he replied.
"And that is all you have to say?" I demanded. "And that's a good
deal," said he, "considering who made it." "But don't be offended," he
added, "I shall prize it all the more for its being made by a gentleman,
and no blacksmith; and so will my governor, when I show it to him. I
shan't let it remain where it is, but will keep it as a remembrance of you,
as long as I live." He then again rubbed his hands with great glee, and
said, "I will now go and see after my horses, and then to breakfast,
partner, if you please." Suddenly, however, looking at his hands, he
said, "Before sitting down to breakfast, I am in the habit of washing my
hands and face: I suppose you could not furnish me with a little soap
and water." "As much water as you please," said I, "but if you want
soap, I must go and trouble the young gentlewoman for some." "By no
means," said the postillion, "water will do at a pinch." "Follow me,"
said I; and leading him to the pond of the frogs and newts, I said, "This
is my ewer; you are welcome to part of it--the water is so soft that it is
scarcely necessary to add soap to it;" then lying down on the bank, I
plunged my head into the water, then scrubbed my hands and face, and
afterwards wiped them with some long grass which grew on the margin
of the pond. "Bravo," said the postillion, "I see you know how to make