"Life is very uncertain," said a fourth.

"It is Mrs .-- -," said a fifth; "let us carry her to her own house." Not being able to render any assistance, I left the poor female in the hands of her townsfolk, and proceeded on my way.

I had chosen a road in the direction of the north-west, it led over downs where corn was growing, but where neither tree nor hedge was to be seen; two or three hours' walking brought me to a beautiful valley, abounding with trees of various kinds, with a delightful village at its farthest extremity; passing through it I ascended a lofty acclivity, on the top of which I sat down on a bank, and taking off my hat, permitted a breeze, which swept coolly and refreshingly over the downs, to dry my hair, dripping from the effects of exercise and the heat of the day.
And as I sat there, gazing now at the blue heavens, now at the downs before me, a man came along the road in the direction in which I had hitherto been proceeding: just opposite to me he stopped, and, looking at me, cried--"Am I right for London, master ?" He was dressed like a sailor, and appeared to be between twenty-five and thirty years of age--he had an open manly countenance, and there was a bold and fearless expression in his eye.
"Yes," said I, in reply to his question; "this is one of the ways to London.

Do you come from far ?" "From -- -," said the man, naming a well-known sea-port.
"Is this the direct road to London from that place ?" I demanded.
"No," said the man; "but I had to visit two or three other places on certain commissions I was entrusted with; amongst others to -- -, where I had to take a small sum of money.

I am rather tired, master; and, if you please, I will sit down beside you." "You have as much right to sit down here as I have," said I, "the road is free for every one; as for sitting down beside me, you have the look of an honest man, and I have no objection to your company." "Why, as for being honest, master," said the man, laughing and sitting down beside me, "I hav'n't much to say--many is the wild thing I have done when I was younger; however, what is done, is done.