I shouldn't wonder if I could write a capital satire on the world on the back of that Bible; but first of all I must think of supplying myself with food." I rose up from the stone on which I was seated, determining to go to the nearest town, with my little horse and cart and procure what I wanted.
The nearest town, according to my best calculation, lay about five miles distant; I had no doubt, however, that by using ordinary diligence, I should be back before evening.

In order to go lighter, I determined to leave my tent standing as it was, and all the things which I had purchased of the tinker, just as they were.

"I need not be apprehensive on their account," said I to myself; "nobody will come here to meddle with them--the great recommendation of this place is its perfect solitude--I dare say that I could live here six months without seeing a single human visage.

I will now harness my little gry and be off to the town." At a whistle which I gave, the little gry, which was feeding on the bank near the uppermost part of the dingle, came running to me, for by this time he had become so accustomed to me that he would obey my call for all the world as if he had been one of the canine species.

"Now," said I to him, "we are going to the town to buy bread for myself, and oats for you--I am in a hurry to be back; therefore, I pray you to do your best, and to draw me and the cart to the town with all possible speed, and to bring us back; if you do your best, I promise you oats on your return.
You know the meaning of oats, Ambrol ?" Ambrol whinnied as if to let me know that he understood me perfectly well, as indeed he well might, as I had never once fed him during the time he had been in my possession without saying the word in question to him.