on the other, the secret joy which his guest discover'd at sight
of the good old Knight. After the first salutes were over, Will
desired Sir Roger to lend him one of his servants to carry a set
of shuttle-cocks he had with him in a little box to a lady that
lived about a mile off, to whom it seems he had promised such a
present for above this half year. Sir Roger's back was no sooner
turned but honest Will began to tell me of a large cock-pheasant
that he had sprung in one of the neighbouring woods, with two or
three other adventures of the same nature. Odd and uncommon
characters are the game I looked for, and most delight in; for
which reason I was as much pleased with the novelty of the person
that talked to me, as he could be for his life with the springing
of a pheasant, and therefore listen'd to him with more than
ordinary attention.

In the midst of his discourse the bell rung to dinner, where the
gentleman I have been speaking of had the pleasure of seeing the
huge jack, he had caught, served up for the first dish in a most
sumptuous manner. Upon our sitting down to it he gave us a long
account how he had hooked it, played with it, foiled it, and at
length drew it out upon the bank, with several other particulars
that lasted all the first course. A dish of wild fowl that came
afterwards furnished conversation for the rest of the dinner,
which concluded with a late invention of Will's for improving the
quail-pipe.

Upon withdrawing into my room after dinner, I was secretly
touched with compassion towards the honest gentleman that had
dined with us; and could not but consider, with a great deal of
concern, how so good an heart and such busy hands were wholly