 the third Horse, they set forwards on their Journey,
and within four Hours arrived at the Inn where the Reader hath already spent so
much Time. Partridge was in very high Spirits during the whole Way, and often
mentioned to Jones the many good Omens of his future Success, which had lately
befriended him; and which the Reader, without being the least superstitious,
must allow to have been peculiarly fortunate. Partridge was moreover better
pleased with the present Pursuit of his Companion, than he had been with his
Pursuit of Glory; and from these very Omens, which assured the Pedagogue of
Success, he likewise first acquired a clear Idea of the Amour between Jones and
Sophia; to which he had before given very little Attention, as he had originally
taken a wrong Scent concerning the Reasons of Jones's Departure; and as to what
happened at Upton, he was too much frightened just before and after his leaving
that Place, to draw any other Conclusions from thence, than that poor Jones was
a downright Madman: A Conceit which was not at all disagreeable to the Opinion
he before had of his extraordinary Wildness, of which, he thought, his Behaviour
on their quitting Gloucester, so well justified all the Accounts he had formerly
received. He was now however pretty well satisfied with his present Expedition,
and henceforth began to conceive much worthier Sentiments of his Friend's
Understanding.
    The Clock had just struck Three when they arrived, and Jones immediately
bespoke Post Horses; but unluckily there was not a Horse to be procured in the
whole Place; which the Reader will not wonder at, when he considers the Hurry in
which the whole Nation, and especially this Part of it, was at this time
engaged, when Expresses were passing and repassing every Hour of the Day and
Night.
    Jones endeavoured all he could to prevail with his former Guide to escorte
him to Coventry; but he was inexorable. While he was arguing with the Boy in the
Inn-yard, a Person came up to him, and saluting him by his Name, enquired how
all the good Family did in Somersetshire; and now Jones casting his Eyes upon
this Person, presently discovered him to be Mr. Dowling the Lawyer, with whom he
had dined at Gloucester, and with much Courtesy returned his Salutation.
    Dowling very earnestly pressed Mr. Jones to go no further that Night; and
backed his Solicitations with many unanswerable Arguments, such as, that it was
almost dark, that the Roads were very dirty, and that he would be able to travel
much better by Day-light, with many others equally good,
