I'm rather lamed in the leg, but I can still use my fists; so come on, both of you, man and woman, if woman this be, though she looks more like a grenadier." "Let me hear no more of this nonsense," said Belle; "if you are afraid, you can go back to your chaise--we only seek to do you a kindness." "Why, he was just now talking about cutting throats," said the man.

"You brought it on yourself," said Belle; "you suspected us, and he wished to pass a joke upon you; he would not hurt a hair of your head, were your coach laden with gold, nor would I." "Well," said the man, "I was wrong--here's my hand to both of you," shaking us by the hands; "I'll go with you where you please, but I thought this a strange lonesome place, though I ought not much to mind strange lonesome places, having been in plenty of such when I was a servant in Italy, without coming to any harm--come, let us move on, for 'tis a shame to keep you two in the rain." So we descended the path which led into the depths of the dingle; at the bottom I conducted the postillion to my tent, which, though the rain dripped and trickled through it, afforded some shelter; there I bade him sit down on the log of wood, while I placed myself as usual on my stone.
Belle in the meantime had repaired to her own place of abode.

After a little time, I produced a bottle of the cordial of which I have previously had occasion to speak, and made my guest take a considerable draught.

I then offered him some bread and cheese, which he accepted with thanks.

In about an hour the rain had much abated.