Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/84

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

( 84 )

Abbe Ville, where we were entertained with an excellent ragout cooked by our landlord's daughters. After having eat heartily, and drank a sufficient quantity of wine, we were conducted to a barn, where we found a couple of carpets spread upon clean straw for our reception.

The third night, on our journey, we passed at a house near Amiens where Balthazer being unknown, we supped upon indifferent fare, with sour wine, and were fain to lie in a garret. I fell fast asleep being much fatigued with our day's march, and did not wake till nine next morning, when finding myself alone, I started up in a fright, and examining my pocket, found my companion had made free with my cash, and left me to seek my way to Paris by myself. I ran down stairs immediately, and inquired for the mendicant; when they said, he had set out four hours before, after having told them I was a little indisposed, and desired I might not be disturbed, but to inform me, when I should awake, that he had taken the road for Noyons, where he would wait for my coming——I quitted the inn in despair, and betook myself to the fields, where I wandered like one distracted till my spirits were quite exhausted, and I was obliged to throw myself down at the root of a tree, to rest my wearied limbs. Here my rage forsook me, I began to feel the importunate cravings of nature, and re-

lapsed