The latter now surveyed him
cautiously, and at a convenient distance, croaking, in a broken and
foreign accent--
"What ho! Prisoner, by queen's grace. Better stop when little door shall
open. Steps, look thee, for climb; hands and toes; go to."
Gregory now saw that steps, or rather holes, were cut in the sides of
the pit wherein he had fallen, or rather been entrapped. These he ought
to have used when the trap-door was let down; and he remembered his
mistress's caution, to hold fast by the tree. There were, however, no
means of escape that way, as the door had closed with his descent.
The ugly thing before him was ten times more misshapen than himself; and
at any other time this flattering consideration would have restored him
to comparative good-humour.
He was not in the mood now to receive comfort from any source. He felt
sore and mightily disquieted. Limping aside, he angrily exclaimed--
"Be'st thou the de'il, or the de'il's footman, sir blackamoor? I'd have
thee tell thy master to admit his guests in a more convenient fashion.
Hang me, if my bones will not ache for a twelvemonth. My back is almost
broke, for certain.
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