' I would have given him a detail of
the whole adventure, but he would not hear me until I should
change my clothes; so that I had only time to tell him, that he
owed his life to the courage and fidelity of Clinker: and having
given him this hint, I conducted my sister to her own chamber.
This accident happened about three o'clock in the afternoon, and
in little more than an hour the hurricane was all over; but as
the carriage was found to be so much damaged, that it could not
proceed without considerable repairs, a blacksmith and
wheelwright were immediately sent for to the next market-town,
and we congratulated ourselves upon being housed at an inn,
which, though remote from the post-road, afforded exceeding good
lodging. The women being pretty well composed, and the men all a-foot,
my uncle sent for his servant, and, in the presence of
Lismahago and me, accosted him in these words -- 'So, Clinker, I
find you are resolved I shan't die by water -- As you have fished
me up from the bottom at your own risque, you are at least
entitled to all the money that was in my pocket, and there it
is' -- So saying, he presented him with a purse containing thirty
guineas, and a ring nearly of the same value -- 'God forbid! (cried
Clinker), your honour shall excuse me -- I am a poor fellow, but I
have a heart O! if your honour did but know how I rejoice to see --
Blessed be his holy name, that made me the humble instrument --
But as for the lucre of gain, I renounce it -- I have done no more
than my duty -- No more than I would have done for the most
worthless of my fellow-creatures -- No more than I would have done
for captain Lismahago, or Archy Macalpine, or any sinner upon
earth -- But for your worship, I would go through fire as well as
water' -- 'I do believe it, Humphry (said the 'squire); but as you
think it was your duty to save my life at the hazard of your own,
I think it is mine to express the sense I have of your
extraordinary fidelity and attachment -- I insist upon your
receiving this small token of my gratitude; but don't imagine
that I look upon this as an adequate recompence for the service
you have done me -- I have determined to settle thirty pounds a-year
upon you for life; and I desire these gentlemen will bear
witness to this my intention, of which I have a memorandum in my
pocketbook.
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