DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0428
304 ADVENTURES OF JOH# METCALF.
mare was good at coming up to a gate, upon which
Metcalf cheerfully permitted him to perform that office.
Passing through Knaresborough, they entered the Forest
which was then uninclosed, nor was there as yet any
turnpike road upon it. Having proceeded a little way
upon the forest, the gentleman saw a light, and asked
what it was. Metcalf took it for granted that his com-
panion had seen what is called a Will-o’-the-Wisp,
which frequently appear in a low and swampy spot, near
the road; but fearful of betraying himself, did not ask
in what direction the light lay. To divert his attention
from this object, he asked him if he did not see two
lights, one to the right, the other to the left. The
stranger replied that he saw but one, on the right.—-
“ Well then. Sir,” says Metcalf, “ that is Harrowgate.”
Having arrived at their journey’s end, they stopped at
the house now called the Granby, where Metcalf, being
well acquainted with the place, led both horses into the
stable, and then went into the house, where he found
his fellow traveller comfortably seated over a tankard of
negus, in which he pledged his guide- Metcalf took it
of him very readily the first time, but the second time
he was rather wide of his mark. He therefore withdrew,
leaving the landlord to explain what his companion was
yet ignorant of.
The latter hinted to the landlord his suspicion that his
guide must have taken a great quantity of spirits since
their arrival, upon which the landlord enquired his rea-
son for entertaining such an opinion—“ I judge so,” re-
plied the traveller, “ from the appearance of his eyes”—»
Eves! bless you Sir 1 do not you know that he-is blind?”
“ What do you mean by that?”'—“ I mean Sir, that he
cannot see ?”—-“ Blind ! gracious God!!”—“ Yes, Sir,
as bjind as a stone, by heaven!”—The stranger desired
Metcalf to be called, and upon his confirming the land-
lord’s
mare was good at coming up to a gate, upon which
Metcalf cheerfully permitted him to perform that office.
Passing through Knaresborough, they entered the Forest
which was then uninclosed, nor was there as yet any
turnpike road upon it. Having proceeded a little way
upon the forest, the gentleman saw a light, and asked
what it was. Metcalf took it for granted that his com-
panion had seen what is called a Will-o’-the-Wisp,
which frequently appear in a low and swampy spot, near
the road; but fearful of betraying himself, did not ask
in what direction the light lay. To divert his attention
from this object, he asked him if he did not see two
lights, one to the right, the other to the left. The
stranger replied that he saw but one, on the right.—-
“ Well then. Sir,” says Metcalf, “ that is Harrowgate.”
Having arrived at their journey’s end, they stopped at
the house now called the Granby, where Metcalf, being
well acquainted with the place, led both horses into the
stable, and then went into the house, where he found
his fellow traveller comfortably seated over a tankard of
negus, in which he pledged his guide- Metcalf took it
of him very readily the first time, but the second time
he was rather wide of his mark. He therefore withdrew,
leaving the landlord to explain what his companion was
yet ignorant of.
The latter hinted to the landlord his suspicion that his
guide must have taken a great quantity of spirits since
their arrival, upon which the landlord enquired his rea-
son for entertaining such an opinion—“ I judge so,” re-
plied the traveller, “ from the appearance of his eyes”—»
Eves! bless you Sir 1 do not you know that he-is blind?”
“ What do you mean by that?”'—“ I mean Sir, that he
cannot see ?”—-“ Blind ! gracious God!!”—“ Yes, Sir,
as bjind as a stone, by heaven!”—The stranger desired
Metcalf to be called, and upon his confirming the land-
lord’s