clean _stra_'."

After this intimation we climbed up, and gained a situation in the rear
of the wagon under the cloth. As the wagoner said, there was plenty of
room, and we nestled into the straw without coming into contact with the
other travellers. Not feeling any inclination to sleep, Timothy and I
entered into conversation, _sotto voce_, and had continued for more than
half an hour, supposing by their silence that the other occupants of the
wagon were asleep, when we were interrupted by a voice clear and
sonorous as a bell.

"It would appear that you are wanderers, young men, and journey you know
not whither. Birds seek their nests when the night falls--beasts hasten
to their lairs--man bolts his door. '_Propria quæ maribus_,' as
Herodotus hath it; which, when translated, means, that 'such is the
nature of mankind.' '_Tribuuntur mascula dicas_' 'Tell me your
troubles,' as Homer says."

I was very much surprised at this address--my knowledge of the language
told me immediately that the quotations were out of the Latin grammar,
and that all his learning was pretence; still there was a novelty of
style which amused me, and at the same time gave me an idea that the
speaker was an uncommon personage. I gave Timothy a nudge, and then
replied,

"You have guessed right, most learned sir; we are, as you say, wanderers
seeking our fortunes, and trust yet to find them--still we have a weary
journey before us, '_Haustus horâ somni sumendum_,' as Aristotle hath
it; which I need not translate to so learned a person as yourself."