Meanwhile the pickpocket and I had scrambled out by the further bank
and wrung our clothes. He seemed to resent his treatment no more
than did the bear.

"Ben cove--'tis a good world. My thanks!"

And with this scant gratitude he was gone, leaving me to make my way
back to the sign of "The Boot," where the chambermaid led me
upstairs, and took away my clothes to dry by the fire. I determin'd
to buy a horse on the morrow, and with my guineas and the King's
letter under the pillow, dropp'd off to slumber again.

My powers of sleep must have been nois'd abroad by the hostess: for
next morning at the breakfast ordinary, the dealers and drovers laid
down knife and fork to stare as I enter'd. After a while one or two
lounged out and brought in others to look: so that soon I was in a
ring of stupid faces, all gazing like so many cows.

For a while I affected to eat undisturbed: but lost patience at last
and addressed a red-headed gazer----

"If you take me for a show, you ought to pay."

"That's fair," said the fellow, and laid a groat on the board. This
came near to putting me in a passion, but his face was serious.
"'Tis a real pleasure," he added heartily, "to look on one so
gifted."

"If any of you," I said, "could sell me a horse----"