How he manages to turn up at the right moment is only another of the mysteries which surround him; but the fact remains3 the same,[Pg 226] that Jack has solved the problem of "how to be in two places at once" most satisfactorily. No matter how long the day has been, or how many miles he has to go back to the place where he is supposed to have his home, the next day you will see him at the meet as fresh as paint, in his old pink-and-brown leather gaiters, with the same keen eye and half-saucy smile on his face as he doffs4 his well-worn velvet5 cap at your approach.
Full of quaint6 humour is Jack, with many a story of sport, and many a reminiscence of flood and field, which he delights in relating to anyone he can get to listen to him.
"Ger on with yer," he will say to a crowd of gaping7 rustics8; "ger on with yer—call last Wednesday's a run? Why, bless yer, I remember in the old Squire's time, when we run from Finchley cross-roads to Ipply Gorse, better nor five-and-twenty mile, and old Mayster Simpson got up to his neck in the brook9, and I stood on the bank fit to bust10 mysen with larfin, and wouldna pull un out[Pg 227] under two half-crowns. Ah! them was days, I can tell yer."
And then, some mounted cavalier arriving, off goes the hunting-cap, and he accosts11 the sportsman with "Morning, captin'; fine scenting12 day; hold your horse? thankee, sir," all in one breath.
Not a hound in the pack but what knows him and is glad to see him; and he can call them all by name, and give you their pedigree without a mistake. As old Tom says: "Where he picks up his knowledge Lord knows, but 'e's never wrong, and, by Guy, 'e's a puzzler to be sure."
It is getting near the end of the season, and the weather is just a trifle warm, as old Tom with the hounds overtakes Jack Whistler making his way towards the meet at Fairleigh. There is a breakfast there, and Jack likes to be in time on those occasions, for he knows that he will earn many a sixpence before the actual work begins, besides getting his day's food and drink gratis13.
[Pg 228]
"Holloa, old man, what have yer got there? going a-fishing?" exclaims Tom as he comes up with the pedestrian. "What's that thing for?" pointing to a light pole that Jack is balancing on his shoulder.
"Fishing be blowed," is the reply, "it's my jumper. Don't yer see it's a bit 'ot, and old Riley" (a fellow-runner in a neighbouring pack) "put me up to the tip last week as ever was. He says, says he: 'Why don't yer have a pole made? it ain't much to carry, and you can get over hanythink with it.' So I've had this fettled up, and I've been practising a bit with it, and I can go fine now I can tell yer."
"Oh, that's it, is it?" says Tom. "Well, I should a thought it were more trouble than it were worth carrying a great fishing-rod of a thing like that about."
"Ger out," retorts Jack; "it ain't nothing when yer used to it. I thought it were a new-fangled notion at first, and I came nigh breaking my neck two or three times over a pigsty14 wall afore I got into it; but look'ee 'ere, it's as[Pg 229] easy as shelling peas;" and Jack proceeds to show Tom his prowess in the noble art of saltation.
Taking a short run, with a "Ger back, hounds," he essays to top the fence out of the road; but, alas15, to the intense amusement of Tom and the two Whips, his pole sinks into some soft ground, and poor Jack falls all of a heap into the wet ditch on the far side, uttering the while exclamations16 the reverse of complimentary17 against the treacherous18 friend of his travels that had so basely betrayed him.
When he appears, scratched and muddy, in the road again, as soon as Tom can stop laughing he advises him to "leave the bloomin' pole where it is, and not go cutting any more capers19 of that sort." But Jack's dander is up, and his only reply is to shoulder his weapon and walk on. Presently they arrive at the fixture20, and Mr. Whistler's hands are quite full. Indeed, what between laying in a cargo21 for himself and looking after horses while their[Pg 230] owners do the like, he has not much time to talk.
Then comes the business of altering stirrups, tightening22 girths, and looking after his tips. A marvellous memory does Jack show in this latter respect. Vain indeed is it to try and put on an air of unconcern at his approach, as if you had never seen him before, or as if you had entirely23 forgotten the service he rendered you when you got that spill last week, and he recovered your horse for you on the promise of half-a-crown.
Jack remembers the circumstance well and the promise better, and he will sidle up to you with a smile, and say: "Morning cap'n. None the worse for the fall? Have not seen yer out since. Hope you won't forget Jack;" and then, having received his recompense, his quick eye catches sight of another debtor24, and with a "Thank'ee kindly25, sir," he is off to collect more dues.
What he likes best is being taken as a pilot by some comparative stranger to the[Pg 231] country, whose heart is not placed in that position requisite26 to enable him to follow the hounds or ride straight. Then he is in his glory, and from his knowledge of the highways and byways he invariably manages to nick in at various points, and eventually brings his craft safely into port without any casualties.
Of course for this he expects something handsome, and though he makes no bargain he has got a way of returning thanks for any gift he deems insufficient28 that shows plainly enough his opinion, and generally extracts something in addition. To-day, by the time the hounds move off, Jack has made quite a haul, for, being near the end of the season, men have "remembered the Runner." He is in high feather, and what between pleasure and the effects of the old ale, he is a little unsteady and more garrulous29 than usual.
"Wheer to, Mayster Wilding?" he asks Tom, as he shoulders his pole and swings it in close proximity30 to the Huntsman's head.
[Pg 232]
"Mind what you're a-doin' of, a-poking a fellow's eye out with that thing. We're a goin' to draw the gorse first, but you'd better leave that blessed article behind, or you'll be killing31 somebody," retorts Tom, riding off, while Jack, with a laugh, swings off best pace towards the first draw, and as soon as he arrives at the gorse places himself in a commanding position to await the turn of events.
Just as the hounds are thrown in there is a bit of commotion32 down at the other end, and a loose horse galloping33 past tells the tale of a misfortune. Away goes Jack in hot chase, and manages to catch the riderless steed in a trice. When he returns he finds it is Mr. Betteridge, who, having trusted himself on a new purchase, has been fain to dismount rather more hurriedly than he intended. However, no bones are broken, and Jack, having added another bit of silver to his day's earnings34, betakes himself to where he had left his pole.
It is a quick find, and the fox breaks close by Mr. Whistler, who, as soon as he sees him[Pg 233] well away, gives vent27 to his feelings in a somewhat beery view holloa, and then proceeds to follow as fast as he can. At the bottom of the meadow, below the gorse, runs a broadish brook, and a good many turn away for the road and bridge which spans the obstacle. On any other occasion Jack would have done the same, but his failure in the road and old Tom's laughter still rankles35 in his bosom36, and as he runs down towards the water he clutches his pole and says to himself: "I'll show some on 'em as I ain't a-going to be second. I'll pound a few on 'em I'll bet. I do 'ope that old beggar Tom 'ull get a wet jacket."
As the hounds dash in and feather about on the other side, Tom and the hard-riders pull up to see which way the line lies and whether the fox is over or not. But Jack does not stop a moment, and with an exultant37 shout of "Come on, gents, what are yer waiting for?" he jumps as far as he can, and, holding his pole in a slanting38 position, plunges39 it in to aid him in his journey over the water.
[Pg 234]
The pole touches the bottom and then sinks into about two feet of mud, leaving Jack suspended in mid-air. A momentary40 pause, and with a "Rot the thing!" the Runner disappears from view beneath the waters of the brook, emerging on the other side half drowned and covered with black slime, while the instrument of his misfortune remains erect41 in the middle.
"I thought you was a-going fishing," says Tom with a chuckle42; as he lands safe by the side of Jack, and then as he passes him to get to the hounds: "You'd better take a few lessons from your pal43 Riley afore you try again."
The rest of the spectators are nearly in a state of collapse44 with laughter, both at the pitiable sight Jack presents as well as at the murderous glances he casts at the pole; but hounds are running and there is no time to lose, so the chase sweeps past and he is left alone in his misery45 to make the best of his way home. As soon as Jack has scraped [Pg 235]himself a bit clean and wrung46 out his coat, he feels carefully in his pockets to see if all his gains are safe; and finding everything right in that respect he brightens up, and leaving his pole where it is, moves off at a brisk jog-trot to the nearest public to dry the outer and wet the inner man.
When next he appears at the door he shows evident signs that he has accomplished47 the latter part of his purpose, for his course is anything but straight, and after taking nearly an hour to do half a mile he manages to stagger into a barn, where in a few moments he is "wrapt in sweet slumber48."
He is not, however, likely to take any harm from the proceeding49, for he is used to the sort of sleeping-place, and will turn out next morning—a little red about the eyes perhaps—but ready to go any distance with the hounds, and, what is more, equally ready for some more of the "hair of the dog that bit him."
Passionately50 fond of hounds and hunting,[Pg 236] he enjoys life thoroughly51 during the winter, and lives on the fat of the land; but when what he calls the "stinking52 violets and primroses53" appear, things are not so pleasant. "Othello's occupation gone," he has to fall back on odd jobs and an occasional half-a-crown from Sir John or some of his friends, and, failing these, may be generally found "at home" at the "red house," maybe better known as the "workus."
Vagabond he is, and vagabond he will remain. Nevertheless, there is many a man who would be sorry to hear of anything serious happening to Jack Whistler the Bullshire Runner.
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1
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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2
contradictory
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| adj.反驳的，反对的，抗辩的；n.正反对，矛盾对立 | |
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3
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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doffs
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| v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的第三人称单数 ) | |
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5
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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6
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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7
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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8
rustics
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| n.有农村或村民特色的( rustic的名词复数 )；粗野的；不雅的；用粗糙的木材或树枝制作的 | |
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9
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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11
accosts
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的第三人称单数 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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12
scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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13
gratis
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| adj.免费的 | |
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14
pigsty
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| n.猪圈，脏房间 | |
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15
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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16
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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17
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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18
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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19
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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20
fixture
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| n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款 | |
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21
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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22
tightening
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| 上紧，固定，紧密 | |
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23
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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24
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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25
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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26
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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27
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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28
insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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29
garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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30
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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31
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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32
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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33
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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34
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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35
rankles
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| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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36
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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37
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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38
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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39
plunges
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| n.跳进，投入vt.使投入，使插入，使陷入vi.投入，跳进，陷入v.颠簸( plunge的第三人称单数 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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40
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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41
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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42
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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43
pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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44
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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45
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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46
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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47
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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48
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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49
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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50
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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51
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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52
stinking
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| adj.臭的，烂醉的，讨厌的v.散发出恶臭( stink的现在分词 )；发臭味；名声臭；糟透 | |
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53
primroses
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| n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 )；淡黄色；追求享乐（招至恶果） | |
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