 of her fine Riding-Habit, no longer ago than Yesterday, in the
Back-lane here? Can you deny that you wished to have her alone in a Wood to
strip her, to strip one of the prettiest Ladies that ever was seen in the World?
and here you have fallen upon me, and have almost murdered me for doing no Harm
to a Girl as willing as myself, only because she likes me better than you.«
    Jones no sooner heard this, than he quitted the Master, laying on him at the
same time the most violent Injunctions of Forbearance from any further Insult on
the Merry Andrew, and then taking the poor Wretch with him into his own
Apartment, he soon learnt Tidings of his Sophia, whom the Fellow, as he was
attending his Master with his Drum the Day before, had seen pass by. He easily
prevailed with the Lad to shew him the exact Place, and then having summoned
Partridge, he departed with the utmost Expedition.
    It was almost eight of the Clock before all Matters could be got ready for
his Departure: For Partridge was not in any Haste; nor could the Reckoning be
presently adjusted; and when both these were settled and over, Jones would not
quit the Place before he had perfectly reconciled all Differences between the
Master and the Man.
    When this was happily accomplished, he set forwards, and was by the trusty
Merry Andrew conducted to the Spot by which Sophia had past; and then having
handsomely rewarded his Conductor, he again pushed on with the utmost Eagerness,
being highly delighted with the extraordinary Manner in which he received his
Intelligence. Of this Partridge was no sooner acquainted, than he, with great
Earnestness, began to prophesy, and assured Jones, that he would certainly have
good Success in the End: For, he said, »two such Accidents could never have
happened to direct him after his Mistress, if Providence had not designed to
bring them together at last.« And this was the first Time that Jones lent any
Attention to the superstitious Doctrines of his Companion.
    They had not gone above two Miles, when a violent Storm of Rain overtook
them, and as they happened to be at the same Time in Sight of an Alehouse,
Partridge, with much earnest Entreaty, prevailed with Jones to enter, and
weather the Storm.
    Hunger is an Enemy (if indeed it may be called one) which partakes more of
the English than of the French Disposition; for tho' you subdue this never so
often, it will always rally again in Time; and so it did with Partridge, who was
