Strap and I are terrified by an Apparition--Strap's Conjecture--the Mystery explained by Joey--we arrive in London--our Dress and Appearance described--we are insulted in the Street--an Adventure in an Alehouse--we are imposed upon by a waggish Footman--set to rights by a Tobacconist--take Lodgings--dive for a Dinner--an Accident at our Ordinary We arrived at our inn, supped, and went to bed; but Strap's distemper continuing, he was obliged to rise in the middle of the night, and taking the candle in his hand, which he had left burning for the purpose, he went down to the house of office, whence in a short time he returned in a great hurry, with his hair standing on end, and a look betokening horror and astonishment.

Without speaking a word, he set down the light and jumped into bed behind me, where he lay and trembled with great violence.

When I asked him what was the matter, he replied, with a broken accent, "God have mercy on us! I have seen the devil!" Though my prejudice was not quite so strong as his, I was not a little alarmed at this exclamation, and much more so when I heard the sound of bells approaching our chamber, and felt my bedfellow cling close to me, uttering these words, "Christ have mercy upon us; there he comes!" At that instance a monstrous overgrown raven entered our chamber, with bells at his feet, and made directly towards our bed.

As this creature is reckoned in our country a common vehicle for the devil and witches to play their pranks in, I verily believed we were haunted; and, in a violent fright, shrank under the bedclothes.

This terrible apparition leaped upon the bed, and after giving us several severe dabs with its beak through the blankets, hopped away, and vanished.