CHAPTER IV .-- A CLASSICAL ENCOUNTER--LONG MELFORD TO THE RESCUE.
Two mornings after the period to which I have brought the reader in the preceding chapter, I sat by my fire at the bottom of the dingle.

I had just breakfasted, and had finished the last morsel of food which I had brought with me to that solitude.
"What shall I now do ?" said I to myself: "shall I continue here, or decamp?
This is a sad lonely spot--perhaps I had better quit it; but whither should I go?
the wide world is before me, but what can I do therein?
I have been in the world already without much success.

No, I had better remain here; the place is lonely, it is true, but here I am free and independent, and can do what I please; but I can't remain here without food.

Well, I will find my way to the nearest town, lay in a fresh supply of provision, and come back, turning my back upon the world, which has turned its back upon me.

I don't see why I should not write a little sometimes; I have pens and an ink-horn, and for a writing-desk I can place the Bible on my knee.