There! there! never mind.

Get aboard, Mr.Graves.Put your satchel on the floor between your feet.

Here, let me h'ist that boot for you." The "boot" was a rubber curtain buttoned across the front of the buggy, extending from the dashboard to just below the level of the driver's eyes.

The lawyer clambered in behind it, the captain followed, the end of the reins was passed through a slit in the boot, Mr.Shattuck, after inquiring if they were "all taut," gave the command, "Gid-dap!" and horse and buggy moved around the corner of the station, out into darkness.
Of the next hour Graves's memories are keen but monotonous,--a strong smell of stable, arising from the laprobe which had evidently been recently used as a horse blanket; the sound of hoofs, in an interminable "jog, jog--splash, splash," never hurrying; a series of exasperated howls from the captain, who was doing his best to make them hurry; the thunderous roar of rain on the buggy top and the shrieking gale which rocked the vehicle on its springs and sent showers of fine spray driving in at every crack and crevice between the curtains.
The view ahead, over the boot, was blackness, bordered by spidery trees and branches whipping in the wind.

Occasionally they passed houses sitting well back from the road, a lighted window gleaming cozily.