Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/237

 In this manner they went on till they came to the place where they were to dine, when the postillion, giddily taking too little compass, overturned the coach; and as it was on a flat, they were all in great danger of being killed or breaking their limbs. However, they were all taken out safe, except the atheist, who had stupefied his senses in such a manner by the breakfast he chose to drink, that he had no command of his limbs, and broke his leg under him in the fall. Cynthia was terribly frightened, and begged the clergyman to be so good as to contrive some method of having the poor wretch taken care of, and the bone set again. Her caution was perfectly unnecessary; for from the moment the good man saw the accident, he was considering which would be the best method of taking care of him. He presently inquired for the best surgeon in the town; and luckily there was one lived the very next door, who was both a surgeon and an apothecary. To his house, therefore, he had him carried; he went with him, and stayed with him while the operation was performing; during which time he alternately prayed and cursed, which struck the clergyman with the utmost horror. However, he carried his Christianity and compassion so far as to inquire whether he had any money in his pocket to defray his expenses while he was confined there; and on being answered in the negative, offered to leave him what was necessary. But on the apothecary's assuring him that he knew him very well, and would take the utmost care of him, he returned to Cynthia, who rejoiced to hear the poor creature was in such good hands. The butterfly, whose journey was at an end, he being to go no farther, took his leave of them, humming the end of an Italian song, without once inquiring what was become of the poor man, with