The horse was
gaunt and scandalous, a dirty white, and carried its head
apprehensively. The driver had but one eye, through which there
gleamed a concentrated hatred of God and man.
"No wonder he charged for it before we saw it," said Benham.
"It's better than walking," said Amanda.
The company in the inn gathered behind the landlord and scrutinized
Amanda and Benham intelligently. The young couple got in.
"Avanti," said Benham, and Amanda bestowed one last ineradicable
memory on the bowing landlord.
Benham did not speak until just after they turned the first corner,
and then something portentous happened, considering the precipitous
position of the road they were upon. A small boy appeared sitting
in the grass by the wayside, and at the sight of him the white horse
shied extravagantly. The driver rose in his seat ready to jump.
But the crisis passed without a smash. "Cheetah!" cried Amanda
suddenly. "This isn't safe." "Ah!" said Benham, and began to act
with the vigour of one who has long accumulated force. He rose in
his place and gripped the one-eyed driver by the collar.
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