ing this stubborn rustic effectually humbled, became an
advocate in his favour with Mr. Elmy, and Tom Clarke, who forgave him at
his request; and a mutual release being executed, the farmer was
permitted to depart. The populace were regaled at our adventurer's
expense; and the men, women, and children, who had been wounded or
bruised in the battle, to the number of ten or a dozen, were desired to
wait upon Mr. Elmy in the morning, to receive the knight's bounty. The
justice was prevailed upon to spend the evening with Sir Launcelot and
his two companions, for whom supper was bespoke; but the first thing the
cook prepared was a poultice for Crowe's head, which was now enlarged to
a monstrous exhibition. Our knight, who was all kindness and
complacency, shook Mr. Clarke by the hand, expressing his satisfaction at
meeting with his old friends again; and told him softly, that he had
compliments for him from Mrs. Dolly Cowslip, who now lived with his
Aurelia.

Clarke was confounded at this intelligence, and, after some hesitation,
"Lord bless my soul!" cried he, "I'll be shot, then, if the pretended
Miss Meadows wa'n't the same as Miss Darnel!" He then declared himself
extremely glad that poor Dolly had got into such an agreeable situation,
passed many warm encomiums on her goodness of heart and virtuous
inclinations, and concluded with appealing to the knight, whether she did
not look very pretty in her green joseph. In the meantime, he procured a
plaster for his own head, and helped to apply the poultice to that of his
uncle, who was sent to bed betimes with a moderate dose of sack-whey, to
promote perspiration. The other three passed the evening to their mutual
satisfaction; and the justice, in particular, grew enamoured of the
knight's character, dashed as it was with extravagance.

Let us now leave them to the enjoyment of a sober and rational
conversation, and give some account of other guests, who arrived late in
the evening, and here fixed their night quarters. But as we have already
trespassed on the reader's patience, we shall give him a short respite,
until the next chapter makes its appearance.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

IN WHICH THE RAYS OF CHIVALRY SHINE WITH RENOVATED LUSTRE.

Our hero little dreamed that he had a formidable rival in the person of
the knight, who arrived about eleven, at the sign of the St. George, and,
by the noise he made, gave intimation of his importance. This was no
other t