Page:Life and unparalleled adventures of Ambrose Gwinnett.pdf/4

 4 ships lying in the harbour, the English being then at war with the French and Spaniards; besides which, I found this was the day for holding the half- yearly fair, so that the town was filled to such a degree, that a bed was not to be had for love or money. I went seeking a lodging from house to house to no purpose, till, being quite spent, I returned to the public-house where I had first made inquiry, desir- ing leave to sit by their kitchen-fire, to rest -, myself until morning. The publican and his wife where I put up happened, unfortunately for me, to be acquainted with my brother and sister; and finding, by my discourse, that I was a relation of theirs, and going to visit them, the landlady presently said she would endeavour to get me a bed, and, going out of the kitchen, she shortly after called me into a parlour that led from it. Here I saw, sitting by the fireside, a middle-aged man, in a night-gown and cap, reckoning, money at a table. " Uncle," said the woman, as soon as I entered, “this is a brother of our friend, Mrs Sawyer, he cannot get a bed anywhere, and is tired after his journey ; you are the only one that lies in this house alone, will you give him a part of yours?" To this the man answered, that she knew he had been out of order, that he was bled that day, consequently, a bedfellow could not be very agreeable. However, said he, rather than the young man should sit up, he is welcome to sleep with me. After this, we sat a while together; when, having put his money, in a canvass bag, into the pocket of his night-gown, he took the candle, and I followed him to bed. How long I slept I cannot exactly determine, but I conjectured it was about three o'clock in the morning, when I awakened with the colie, attended with the most violent gripes. I attributed this to some bacon and cabbage I had eaten the former day for dinner, after which I had drunk a large draught of milk. I found my elium awake as well as myself. He asked