Part 64 (1/2)

By these attacks on me, Glibly therefore, for they were undoubtedly a part of his handy-work, Glibly, I say, had a three-fold e to say he had acquired, of wounding in the dark, that he ht smile and shake hands with the insulted person in broad day; he answered the end for which onists; and he particularly forwarded the views of another of his dear friends, the Earl

The general coraphs like these is falsehood; which is soh it isfacts The pamphlet I had written, which had been partially made known to the public by the advertisee of Sir Barnard, my ambitious views on the Mowbray faable Glibly could collect, sometimes delivered in obscure allusions and at others enious devices to irritate and injure were frah I heard of them sufficiently often to be assured that they were nuht have been stopped; and of which, in ordinary cases bribing is chiefly practised: but in this instance fighting, or the laould have been more effectual Of these however I totally disapproved Defaenerally and perhaps always a greater; and to prevent enquiry is a the worst of evils I was not yet sufficiently acquainted, however, with the mistakes to which men are subject, or rather ireat surprise and sonation at the obstacles which I found were continually to impede my career He who has never travelled into the country of Mosquitoes is not aware how slight a net-work covering will preserve hi

These were trifles, and would have been unworthy of notice had they not reseh scarcely visible in the distant horizon, approaches, and swells, and bursts over the head in a stor contest between the Earl and the Mowbray faht proper to take in me and my affairs, the patriotism of Sir Barnard, nay the friendshi+p of Mr Evelyn himself, that best of men, were but so

At present, however, with respect to the Baronet, I daily increased in favour He frequently requested me to accompany him when he went down to the house; and paraded witheveryon the news of the day, the victories of thehis creatures and in the house, and the defeats of his projects every where else

At length it was generally affirmed and believed that parliaht; and, as Sir Barnard wished to keep ith his borough, he proposed that we should go down and visit the worthy and independent electors: aht spend a few days in a pleasant eously to his interest, till the writ of election should be issued This was on the Wednesday: but, as there was to be a debate and probably a division of the house on Friday, his sense of public duty would not perreed to defer our journey till Saturdaythis short interval an incident occurred, which it is necessary I should relate It happened on the Thursday that, after spending the day near Rich hoht ed to practise some part of that aristocracy which I nevertheless very sincerely conde down a lane at the entrance of Barnes common, we heard distant cries and the report of a pistol, in the direction as we believed in which ere proceeding

I immediately stopped, and listened very attentively: but all was soon silent Being convinced as well by the cries as the firing of the pistol that a robbery, if not so froently forward and continued to listen with the utour horses and looking cautiously round for so us, till we cae of the co patiently, without his rider; and stopping once more to look and listen, I presently perceived an indistinct object: which I discovered to be ain his blood

I spoke to him: but no ansas returned, nor any sound I then raised the body in my arms, and it appeared to be lifeless

What was to be done? A huht not, in either case, hbourhood is populous, and I could distinguish lights at no very great distance Fearing lest, if I sent ht address himself to would be less likely to pay attention to him than to me, I bade hi my horse, I rode away immediately to procure aid

My direction was across the coe, which proved to be a hackney coach returning to toith two passengers I ordered the coachhwayo out of his way for the purpose I required

The persons within, hearing a kind of squabble, and understanding when they listened the nature of it, spoke to ood luck, they happened to feel properly, and joined ed to submit; and, when he came to the point where the roads join, to turn back and receive the wounded hted, I ordered e, and we proceeded slowly to the first inn

Here I iical and es are ood practitioners were presently procured

While the ers were dispatched, I had leisure to exaure, and countenance, were altogether extre His hair was abundant, but milk white, his features were serene, and his fore was still htened by the blood hich his locks were in part clotted, and that had streamed over his face upon his clothes and linen

The er was exah the contusions on the head and the temple were violent, and he had been shot in the shoulder, so that the ball had passed through behind, they were of opinion, as there was no fracture of the skull, that the wounds were not er, and the condition in which I found him, hadhim, in an unknown place, amidst the casualties and hurry of an inn, to the care of waiters, and the neglect of persons who had scarcely leisure to be humane I therefore deterht I had an appoint; but I could be at London in less than an hour: that was therefore no obstacle

Hoping to have discovered his place of abode, I desired his pockets to be searched before the people present: but they were entirely emptied; and contained no paper, or memorandum, that could afford information

After soan to quicken, and his lungs to do their office; and, that nothing ht be omitted, I prevailed on the physician to remain with me at his bed-side, and attend to every syly complied because he was apprehensive of fever, when the circulation should recover all its elasticity

In the ed to forsake e: but not till I had left money with the physician, who made hi a humane person, I believe he would have done this without my interference But in addition to that every er, his look, his dress and the horse on which he was entleht it was probable heand the power of speech for a day or two, he yet was persuaded that he would not die

CHAPTER IV

_An incident in the park, or the danger of unruly dogs and horses: The fortitude and affection of Olivia: A visit to the wounded stranger_