than he was obliged to come down again, for fcarcely had he reached the faddle-tree, in order to begin his journey, when turning round his face, three customers came in.

John Gilpin, though he grieved the lofs of time, could not bear the thought of lofing a customer. He, therefore, came down from his horse; but he had no fooner fuited his customers to their mind, than Betty called out, that her mistress had gone without the wine. "Good.

lack! (cried John Gilpin) that is "unlucky, indeed! yet bring it to "me, my leathern belt alfo, in " which I bear my trufty fword "when I exercife,'

Now

Now Mrs. Gilpin, who was a most careful foul, had two stone bottles to hold the liquor, and each of them had two curling ears.John Gilpin, therefore, drew the belt threw them, and hung one bottle on each fide to make the balance equal. Then over all, that he might be properly equipped from head to foot, his long red cloak, well brushed and neat, he carefully threw.

John Gilpin being thus happily remounted, upon his nimble fteed, flowly paced him with great caution over the ftones, but finding foon a smoother road, the fnorting beaft

beaft began to trot, which very much galled him in his feat. John Gilpin, cried "fair and foftly!" but it was in vain that he attempted to flacken the creature's pace; his trot became a gallop foon in fpite of curb or rein, so stooping down, he grafped the horse's mane with both hands, and held by it with all his might, but all would not do, away went Gilpin! neck or nothing! and away went his hat and wig.! leaving him full speed on the road.

CHAP.

CHAP. X.

HOW HE INTENDED то HAVE

DINED AT EDMONTON, AND

WAS CARRIED TEN MILES BE-
YOND IT.

THE

HE horfe on which John Gilpin rode, having never before been used in fuch a way, became more and more affrighted, as he endeavoured to ftop it by pulling hold of his mane. To add to his ill luck, the wind too blew right in his teeth, which took his cloak,

till

till loop and button failing both, it at last flew away entirely, which left exposed to view, a bottle fwinging at each fide. The dogs now barked, the children fcreamed, the windows were all thrown up, and every one cried out "Well done!" as loud as he could bawl.

Although poor Gilpin was in fuch a pitiable plight, it was impoffible for him not to hear the wicked jokes that were cracked upon him on the road. "He carries weight"

cried one; "be rides a race!" faid another; "it is for a thousand pounds," called a third; and as he drew near, it was curious to observe,

how