 submited to the superior intelligence of
his fair enslaver, began to be harrassed with the fears of losing her for ever,
upon their arrival at Brussels, and set his invention at work, to contrive some
means of indemnifying himself for his assiduities, presents, and the
disappointment he had already undergone, before they should reach that city: on
pretence of enjoying a freer air, he mounted the box, and employed his elocution
and generosity with such success, that the driver undertook to disable the
Diligence from proceeding beyond the town of Alost for that day; and in
consequence of his promise, gently overturned it, when they were about a mile
short of that baiting place. He had taken his measures so discreetly, that this
accident was attended with no other inconvenience than a fit of fear, that took
possession of the ladies, and the necessity to which they were reduced, by the
declaration of the coachman, who, upon examining the carriage, assured the
company that the axle-tree had given way, and advised them to walk forward to
the inn, while he would jog after them at a slow pace, and do his endeavour that
the damage should be immediately repaired. Peregrine pretended to be very much
concerned at what had happened, and even cursed the driver for his inadvertency,
expressing infinite impatience to be at Brussels, and wishing that this
misfortune might not detain them another night upon the road; but when his
under-strapper, according to his instructions, came afterwards to the inn, and
gave them to understand, that the workman he had employed, could not possibly
refit the machine in less than six hours, the crafty youth affected to lose all
temper, stormed at his emissary, whom he reviled in the most opprobious terms,
and threatened to cane for his misconduct. The fellow protested, with great
humility, that their being overturned was owing to the failure of the axle-tree,
and not to his want of care or dexterity in driving; though rather than be
thought the cause of incommoding him, he would inquire for a post-chaise, in
which he might depart for Brussels immediately. This expedient Pickle rejected,
unless the whole company could be accommodated in the same manner; and he had
been previously informed by the driver, that the town could not furnish more
than one vehicle of that sort. His governor, who was quite ignorant of his
scheme, represented that one night would soon be passed, and exhorted him to
bear this small disappointment with a good grace, especially as the house seemed
to be well provided for their entertainment, and the company so
