CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
HOW I FELL BADLY, AND WAS PICKED UP IN A WAY I LITTLE EXPECTED.
The delightful picnic to which I had looked forward with such satisfaction had certainly not come off as I expected.

And it was not _yet_ over, for the drive home under the conduct of Mr Whipcord promised to be the most exciting portion of the whole day.
As long as we were in the country roads the unsteadiness of our Jehu did not so much matter, for he was sober enough to keep the horse upon the road, though hardly fit to steer him past other vehicles.

However, it was marvellous how we did get on.

What hairbreadth escapes we had! It was useless attempting to remonstrate with the fellow.

He was in that quarrelsome and mischievous humour which would brook no protest.