5

In "A Fisher of Men" in Dr. Thorndyke's Case-Book by R. Austin Freeman, Dr. Jervis was digging the earth with his friend, while they saw a stranger man coming along the path, then that man was for the moment hidden from them by a bend of the path and a near clump of bushes.

At this moment the stranger reappeared, walking as if for a wager, and I began to peck up the earth with my pocket-knife.

I searched for its meaning, but I didn't find anything that I can understand in this context!

Improve this question
6

Competitive walking, known as ‘pedestrianism’, was the forerunner of today’s walking races. Per Wikipedia:

Pedestrianism was a 19th-century form of competitive walking, often professional and funded by wagering, from which the modern sport of racewalking developed.

Improve this answer
  • Thank you, that makes more sense. So he was walking as if in competitve walking that some people bet on it? @Spagirl – Ahmed Samir Sep 11 '20 at 22:31
  • 1
    That is correct. – Spagirl Sep 12 '20 at 10:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.