_Allons!_" With a majestic wave of the hand he turns his back on them and runs.
They stand and listen.
Plainly can they hear him plunging on through the darkness in the direction of the spot where the old stage was left.

Once, twice he measures his length on the ground, only to scramble to his feet, and uttering choice Parisian invectives, continue his flight.
"Now he reaches the stage," says John.
Then comes the crack of a whip.
"They are off.

Jupiter! what a noise he makes! How the old stage rattles and bangs.

The man is raving mad to plunge over such ground at a reckless pace like that.

He will surely meet the same fate, sooner or later, that befell the old vehicle we were in.