CHAPTER XXXIII.
CONVALESCENCE--THE SURGEON'S BILL--LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION--COMMENCEMENT OF THE OLD MAN'S HISTORY.
Two days--three days passed away--and I still remained at the house of my hospitable entertainer; my bruised limb rapidly recovering the power of performing its functions.

I passed my time agreeably enough, sometimes in my chamber, communing with my own thoughts; sometimes in the stable, attending to, and not unfrequently conversing with, my horse; and at meal- time--for I seldom saw him at any other--discoursing with the old gentleman, sometimes on the Chinese vocabulary, sometimes on Chinese syntax, and once or twice on English horseflesh; though on this latter subject, notwithstanding his descent from a race of horse-traders, he did not enter with much alacrity.

As a small requital for his kindness, I gave him one day, after dinner, unasked, a brief account of my history and pursuits.

He listened with attention; and when it was concluded, thanked me for the confidence which I had reposed in him.

"Such conduct," said he, "deserves a return.