I had a small bundle in my hand, and was dressed in the same
manner as when I departed from London, having left my waggoner's slop
with the other effects in the dingle. On arriving at the public-house, I
informed the landlord that I was come for my horse, inquiring, at the
same time, whether he could not accommodate me with a bridle and saddle.
He told me that the bridle and saddle, with which I had ridden the horse
on the preceding day, were at my service for a trifle; that he had
received them some time since in payment for a debt, and that he had
himself no use for them. The leathers of the bridle were rather shabby,
and the bit rusty, and the saddle was old fashioned; but I was happy to
purchase them for seven shillings, more especially as the landlord added
a small valise, which he said could be strapped to the saddle, and which
I should find very convenient for carrying my things in. I then
proceeded to the stable, told the horse we were bound on an expedition,
and giving him a feed of corn, left him to discuss it, and returned to
the bar-room to have a little farewell chat with the landlord, and at the
same time to drink with him a farewell glass of ale. Whilst we were
talking and drinking, the niece came and joined us: she was a decent,
sensible young woman, who appeared to take a great interest in her uncle,
whom she regarded with a singular mixture of pride and,
disapprobation--pride for the renown which he had acquired by his feats
of old, and disapprobation for his late imprudences. She said that she
hoped that his misfortunes would be a warning to him to turn more to his
God than he had hitherto done, and to give up cock-fighting and other low-
life practices. To which the landlord replied, that with respect to cock-
fighting he intended to give it up entirely, being determined no longer
to risk his capital upon birds, and with respect to his religious duties,
he should attend the church of which he was churchwarden at least once a
quarter, adding, however, that he did not intend to become either canter
or driveller, neither of which characters would befit a publican
surrounded by such customers as he was, and that to the last day of his
life he hoped to be able to make use of his fists. After a stay of about
two hours I settled accounts, and having bridled and saddled my horse,
and strapped on my valise, I mounted, shook hands with the landlord and
his niece, and departed, notwithstanding that they bo