Sometimes the hills were so steep that, despite our driver's haste, the horses could only go slowly.

I wished to get down and walk up them, as we do at home, but the driver would not hear of it.

"No, no," he said.

"You must not walk here.
The dogs are too fierce." And then he added, with what he evidently meant for grim pleasantry--for he looked round to catch the approving smile of the rest--"And you may have enough of such matters before you go to sleep." The only stop he would make was a moment's pause to light his lamps.
When it grew dark there seemed to be some excitement amongst the passengers, and they kept speaking to him, one after the other, as though urging him to further speed.

He lashed the horses unmercifully with his long whip, and with wild cries of encouragement urged them on to further exertions.