bundles.

"Noa," replied the waggoner, "there be nobody but a mighty clever
'poticary or doctor, I can't tell which; but he wears an uncommon queer
hat, and he talk all sort of doctor stuff--and there be his odd man and
his odd boy; that be all, and there be plenty of room, and plenty o'
clean stra'."

After this intimation we climbed up, and gained a situation in the rear
of the waggon under the cloth. As the waggoner said, there was plenty
of room, and we nestled into the straw without coming into contact with
the other travellers. Not feeling any inclination to sleep, Timothy and
I entered into conversation, _sotto voce_, and had continued for more
than half an hour, supposing by their silence, that the other occupants
of the waggon were asleep, when we were interrupted by a voice clear and
sonorous as a bell.

"It would appear that you are wanderers, young men, and journey you know
not whither. Birds seek their nests when the night falls--beasts hasten
to their lairs--man bolts his door. `_Propria quae maribus_,' as
Herodotus hath it; which, when translated, means, that `such is the
nature of mankind.' `_Tribuuntur mascula dicas_,' `Tell me your
troubles,' as Homer says."

I was very much surprised at this address--my knowledge of the language
told me immediately that the quotations were out of the Latin grammar,
and that all his learning was pretence; still there was a novelty of
style which amused me, and at the same time gave me an idea that the
speaker was an uncommon personage. I gave Timothy a nudge, and then
replied--

"You have guessed right, most learned sir; we are, as you say, wanderers
seeking our fortunes, and trust yet to find them--still we have a weary
journey before us. `_Haustus hora somni sumendum_,' as Aristotle hath
it; which I need not translate to so learned a person as yourself."

"Nay, indeed, there is no occasion; yet am I pleased to meet with one
who hath scholarship," replied the other. "Have you also a knowledge of
the Greek?"

"No, I pretend not to Greek."

"It is a pity that thou hast it not, for thou wouldst delight to commune
with the ancients. Aesculapius hath these words--`_Asholder_--offmotton
accapon--pasti--venison,'--which I will translate for thee--`We often
find what we seek when we least expect it.' May it be so with you, my
friend. Where have you been educated? and what has been your
profession?"

I thought I risked little in telling, so I replied, th