"What is it?" I asked.
"Sandwiches. You'll be glad of them by and by."
I took the packet unwillingly, for I was not hungry then, and I thought
it a nuisance; for I had no idea then that I was providing myself with
that which would save my life in the peril that was to come.
It was ten minutes to twelve when I went down to the yard, where all the
dogs were standing on their hind legs and straining at their chains,
eager to be patted and talked to, and strongly excited at the sight of
the horse being put to in the strong, springless cart.
They howled and yelped and barked, begging in their way for a run, but
they were nearly all doomed to disappointment.
"Just going to start without you," cried Ike in his surly way.
"No, you were not," I said. "It isn't time."
"'Tis by my watch," he growled as he fastened the chains of the cart
harness. "I don't pay no heed to no other time."
"Bring as good a load as you can, and the coarser the better; but don't
hurry the horse," said Mr Solomon. "Give him his own time, and he'll
draw a very heavy load."
"All right, master. I'll take care."
"Got your shovel and pick?"
"Shovel. Shan't want no pick; the sand comes down as soon as you touch
it. Now, then, Mars Grant, ready? May as well take a couple more
sacks."
The sacks were put in, and we were ready for a start, when a yelp took
my attention, and I said: "I suppose you wouldn't like us to take Juno, sir?"
"Oh, I don't know. Do the dog good. Do you want to take her?"
"Yes," I said eagerly.
The handsome, black, curly-haired retriever barked furiously, for she
saw that we were looking at her.
Mr Solomon nodded, and I ran and unbuckled the dog's collar, having my
face licked by way of thanks.
As I threw the chain over the kennel Juno bounded up at the horse and
then rushed at the gate, barking furiously. Then she rushed back, and
charged at all the other dogs, barking as if saying, "Come along, lads,
we're off."
But the big gates were set open, Juno rushed out, there was a final word
or two from Mr Solomon, who said: "I sha'n't be surprised if you are very late."
Then the dogs set up a dismal howl as the cart rumbled out over the
stones, and in chorus they seemed to say: "Oh what a shame!"
Then I looked back, and saw Mr Solomon in the moonlight shutting the
gates, and I was trudging along beside Ike, close to the horse; and it
almost seemed, in the stillness of the night, with the cart rattling by
us and the horse's hoofs sounding loud and clear on the hard road, that
we were bound for Covent Garden.