Certain sad thoughts oppressed him from time to time, but they were tempered and well-nigh overcome by the secret pleasure he felt within himself at having been given the means wherewith to ensure happiness for those whom he considered were more deserving of it than himself.

And he sat patiently watching the landscape grow in glory as the sun rose higher and higher, till presently, struck by a sudden fear lest Mary Deane should get up earlier than usual, and missing him, should come out to seek for him, he left the bank by the roadside, and began to trudge slowly along in the direction of Minehead.

He had not walked for a much longer time than about ten minutes, when he heard the crunching sound of heavy wheels behind him, and, looking back, saw a large mill waggon piled with sacks of flour and drawn by two sturdy horses, coming leisurely along.

He waited till it drew near, and then called to the waggoner-- "Will you give me a lift to Minehead for half a crown ?" The waggoner, stout, red-faced, and jolly-looking, nodded an emphatic assent.
"I'd do it for 'arf the money!" he said.

"Gi' us yer 'and, old gaffer!" The "old gaffer" obeyed, and was soon comfortably seated between the projecting corners of two flour sacks, which in their way were as comfortable as cushions.
"'Old on there," said the waggoner, "an' ye'll be as safe as though ye was in Abram's bosom.