However, the pair seemed, in spite of their apparent poverty, to be passably merry.

The old gentleman rode the horse; and had, in the course of their journey, ridden him two miles at least in every three.

The tall one walked with immense strides by his side; and seemed, indeed, as if he could have quickly outstripped the four-footed animal, had he chosen to exert his speed, or had not affection for his comrade retained him at his stirrup.
A short time previously the horse had cast a shoe; and this the tall man on foot had gathered up, and was holding in his hand: it having been voted that the first blacksmith to whose shop they should come should be called upon to fit it again upon the bay horse.
"Do you remimber this counthry, Meejor ?" said the tall man, who was looking about him very much pleased, and sucking a flower.

"I think thim green cornfields is prettier looking at than the d----- tobacky out yondther, and bad lack to it!" "I recollect the place right well, and some queer pranks we played here seven years agone," responded the gentleman addressed as Major.

"You remember that man and his wife, whom we took in pawn at the 'Three Rooks' ?" "And the landlady only hung last Michaelmas ?" said the tall man, parenthetically.
"Hang the landlady!--we've got all we ever would out of HER, you know.
But about the man and woman.