I cannot say; therefore I am rather inclined to pity than to judge." "You speak like a humane man," said I, "and if you have known him so long, I pray you will give me some account of him. Has his appearance much altered?" "Why yes, he looks as though he never ate, drank, or slept; and his child looks older than himself, and he looks like time broke off from eternity and anxious to gain a resting place." "And how does his horse look?" said I. "As for his horse, he looks fatter and gayer, and shows more animation and courage than he did twenty years ago. The last time Rugg spoke to me he inquired how far it was to Boston. I told him just one hundred miles. 'Why' said he, 'how can you deceive me so? it is cruel to mislead a traveller. I have lost my way; pray direct me the nearest way to Boston.' I repeated it was one hundred miles. 'How can you say so?' said he, 'I was told last evening it was but fifty, and I have travelled all night.' 'But,' said I, 'you are now travelling from Boston. You must turn back.' 'Alas,' said he, 'it is all turn back! Boston shifts with the wind, and plays all around the compass.
