hich debouched, like the highway, into Gloucester street; and when
this chariot arrived opposite, a head was thrust through the window,
and a good-humored voice uttered the words:

"Give you good day, my dear Tom!"

Sir Asinus bowed, with a laugh which seemed to indicate familiarity
with the occupant of the carriage, and said:

"Good morning, your Excellency--a delightful day."

"Yes," returned the voice, "especially for a race! What were you
scampering from? Come into the chariot and tell me all about it. I am
dying of weariness."

The movement was soon accomplished. His Excellency's footman mounted
the horse, and Sir Asinus entered the chariot and found himself
opposite an elderly gentleman, very richly clad, and with a smiling
and rubicund face which seemed to indicate a love of the best living.
This gentleman was Francis Fauquier, Governor of his Majesty's loyal
colony of Virginia; and he seemed to be no stranger to the young man.

"Now, what was it all about?" asked the Governor, laughing.

And when our friend related the mode of his escape from the worthy
Doctor, his Excellency shook the whole carriage in the excess of his
mirth.

They came thus to the "Raleigh Tavern," before the door of which the
Governor stopped a moment to say a word to the landlord, who, cap in
hand, listened. The Governor's conversation related to a great ball
which was to be held in the "Apollo room" at the Raleigh very soon;
and the chariot was delayed fully half an hour.

At last it drove on, and at the same moment his Excellency inclined
his head courteously to a gentleman mounted on horseback who was
passing.

"Ah, worthy Doctor Small!" he said, "a delightful day for a ride!"

Sir Asinus shrunk back into the extremest corner, and cast an
imploring look upon the Governor, who shook with laughter.

"Yes, yes, your Excellency," said the Doctor; "I have been inhaling
this delightful May morning with quite a youthful gusto."

"Riding for exercise, Doctor? An excellent idea."

"No, sir; I went a little way into the country to see a pupil."

"You saw him?"

"No, your Excellency."

"Why, that was very hard--a great reprobate, I fear."

"No; a wild young man who has lately deserted his Alma Mater."

"A heinous offence! I advise you to proceed against him for holding
out _in contumaciam_."

"Ah!" said the Doctor, "we must follow the old receipt for cooking a
hare in the present instance. We must first catch the offender."