"
"A doctor in these rugged parts should be mounted on one of these ambling
birds of which we read," said the other, removing the obstacle to the
secure passage of his friend; "for truly a journey at night, in the paths
of these clearings, is not always as safe moving as that which is said to
be enjoyed by the settlers nearer sea."
"And where hast found mention of a bird of a size and velocity fit to be
the bearer of the weight of a man?" demanded he who was mounted, with a
vivacity that betrayed some jealousy on the subject of a monopoly of
learning. I had thought there was never a book in the valley, out of mine
own closet, that dealeth in these abstrusities!"
"Dost think the scriptures are strangers to us? There--thou art now in the
public path, and thy journey is without danger. It is matter of marvel to
many in this settlement, how thou movest about at midnight, amongst
upturned roots of trees, holes, logs and stumps, without falling--"
"I have told thee, Ensign, it is by virtue of much training given to the
beast. Certain am I, that neither whip nor spur would compel the animal to
pass the bounds of discretion.
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