I reads the newspapers, and knows what's what." "You read them to some purpose," said I.

"Well, if you are lamed for life, and unfitted for any active line--turn newspaper editor; I should say you are perfectly qualified, and this day's adventure may be the foundation of your fortune;" thereupon I turned round and rode off.

The fellow followed me with a torrent of abuse.

"Confound you," said he--yet that was not the expression either--"I know you; you are one of the horse-patrol, come down into the country on leave to see your relations.
Confound you, you and the like of you have knocked my business on the head near Lunnon, and I suppose we shall have you shortly in the country." "To the newspaper office," said I, "and fabricate falsehoods out of flint stones;" then touching the horse with my heels, I trotted off, and coming to the place where I had seen the old man, I found him there, risen from the ground, and embracing his ass.
I told him that I was travelling down the road, and said that if his way lay in the same direction as mine, he could do no better than accompany me for some distance, lest the fellow, who, for aught I knew, might be hovering nigh, might catch him alone, and again get his ass from him.
After thanking me for my offer, which he said he would accept, he got upon his ass, and we proceeded together down the road.

My new acquaintance said very little of his own accord; and when I asked him a question, answered rather incoherently.