Clinker, who heard me cry, and saw me
indistinctly a good way without the guide, buffetting the waves,
took it for granted I was drowning, and rushing into the sea,
clothes and all, overturned the guide in his hurry to save his
master. I had swam out a few strokes, when hearing a noise, I
turned about and saw Clinker, already up to his neck, advancing
towards me, with all the wildness of terror in his aspect -- Afraid
he would get out of his depth, I made haste to meet him, when,
all of a sudden, he seized me by one ear, dragged me bellowing
with pain upon the dry beach, to the astonishment of all the
people, men, and women, and children there assembled.
I was so exasperated by the pain of my ear, and the disgrace of
being exposed in such an attitude, that, in the first transport I
struck him down; then, running back into the sea, took shelter in
the machine where my clothes had been deposited. I soon
recollected myself so far as to do justice to the poor fellow,
who, in great simplicity of heart, had acted from motives of
fidelity and affection -- Opening the door of the machine, which
was immediately drawn on shore, I saw him standing by the wheel,
dropping like a water-work, and trembling from head to foot;
partly from cold, and partly from the dread of having offended
his master -- I made my acknowledgments for the blow he had
received, assured him I was not angry, and insisted upon his
going home immediately, to shift his clothes; a command which he
could hardly find in his heart to execute, so well disposed was
he to furnish the mob with further entertainment at my expence.
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