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636 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
lawyer's clerk, and the intelligent Briggs sprang downstairs to
obey his orders. Clear the road there ! make way ! was heard
from the crowd below us. The gates of our inn courtyard, which
had been closed, were suddenly flung open, and, amidst the roar of
the multitude, there issued out a cart drawn by two donkeys, and
driven by a negro, beasts and man all wearing Woolcomb's colours.
In the cart was fixed a placard, on which a most undeniable likeness
of Mr. Woolcomb was designed : who was made to say, " VOTE
FOR ME ! AM I NOT A MAN AND A BRUDDER? " This cart trotted
out of the yard of the " Ram," and, with a cortège of shouting
boys, advanced into the market-place, which Mr. Woolcomb's
carriage was then crossing.
Before the market-house stands the statue of the late Earl,
whereof mention has been made. In his peer's robes, a hand
extended, he points towards his park gates. An inscription, not
more mendacious than many other epigraphs, records his rank, age,
virtues, and the esteem in which the people of Whipham held him.
The mulatto who drove the team of donkeys was an itinerant
tradesman who brought fish from the bay to the little town : a
jolly wag, a fellow of indifferent character, a frequenter of all the
alehouses in the neighbourhood, and rather celebrated for his skill
as a bruiser. He and his steeds streamed with Woolcomb ribbons.
With ironical shouts of " Woolcomb for ever !" Yellow Jack
urged his cart towards the chariot with the white horses. He took
off his hat with mock respect to the candidate sitting within the
green chariot. From the balcony of the " Ram " we could see the
two vehicles approaching each other ; and Yellow Jack waving his
ribboned hat, kicking his bandy legs here and there, and urging on
his donkeys. What with the roar of the people, and the banging
and trumpeting of the rival bands, we could hear but little : but
I saw Woolcomb thrust his yellow head out of his chaise window—
he pointed towards that impudent donkey-cart, and urged, seemingly,
his postillions to ride it down. Plying their whips, the postboys
galloped towards Yellow Jack and his vehicle, a yelling crowd
scattering from before the horses, and rallying behind them, to utter
execrations at Woolcomb. His horses were frightened, no doubt ;
for just as Yellow Jack wheeled nimbly round one side of the
Ringwood statue, Woolcomb's horses were all huddled together and
plunging in confusion beside it, the fore-wheel came in abrupt
collision with the stonework of the statue railing : and then we saw
the vehicle turn over altogether, one of the wheelers down with its
rider, and the leaders kicking, plunging, lashing out right and left,
wild and maddened with fear. Mr. Philip's countenance, I am bound
to say, wore a most guilty and queer expression. This accident,