ar you say that, Japhet, for I feel as you do--she shall
share our fortunes."

"A glorious prospect truly," replied I, laughing; "but never mind, it
would be better than her remaining here. But how are we to manage that?"

"Aye! that's the rub; but there is time enough to think about it when we
intend to quit our present occupation."

"Well, I understand from Melchior that we are to start in a few days."

"What is it to be, Japhet?"

"Oh! we shall be at home--we are to cure all diseases under the sun.
To-morrow we commence making pills, so we may think ourselves with Mr
Cophagus again."

"Well, I do think we shall have some fun; but I hope Melchior won't make
me take my own pills to prove their good qualities--that will be no
joke."

"O no, Num is kept on purpose for that. What else is the fool good for?"

The next week was employed as we anticipated. Boxes of pills of every
size, neatly labelled, bottles of various mixtures, chiefly stimulants,
were corked and packed up. Powders of _anything_ were put in papers;
but, at all events, there was nothing hurtful in them. All was ready,
and accompanied by Num (Jumbo and Fleta being left at home) we set off,
Melchior assuming the dress in which we had first met him in the wagon,
and altering his appearance so completely, that he would have been taken
for at least sixty years old. We now travelled on foot with our dresses
in bundles, each carrying his own, except Num, who was loaded like a
pack-horse, and made sore lamentations:

"Can't you carry some of this?"

"No," replied I, "it is your own luggage; every one must carry his own."

"Well, I never felt my spangled dress so heavy before. Where are we
going?"

"Only a little way," replied Timothy, "and then you will have nothing
more to do."

"I don't know that. When master puts on that dress, I have to swallow
little things till I'm sick."

"It's all good for your health, Num."

"I'm very well, I thank'e," replied the poor fellow; "but I'm very hot
and very tired."

Chapter XV

In which Timothy makes a grand speech, quite as true as those
delivered from the hustings--Melchior, like the candidate, states
his pretentions for public favour, and the public, as usual,
swallow the bait.

Fortunately for poor Num, we were not far from the market town at which
we intended to open our campaign, which we did the next morning by Num
and Timothy sallying forth, the former with a large t