the expedition of humphry clinker-第76部分
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Humphry; he flew like lightning; to the coach; that was by this
time filled with water; and; diving into it; brought up the poor
'squire; to all appearance; deprived of life It is not in my
power to describe what I felt at this melancholy spectacle it
was such an agony as baffles all description! The faithful
Clinker; taking him up in his arms; as if he had been an infant
of six months; carried him ashore; howling most piteously all the
way; and I followed him in a transport of grief and
consternation When he was laid upon the grass and turned from
side to side; a great quantity of water ran out at his mouth;
then he opened his eyes; and fetched a deep sigh。 Clinker
perceiving these signs of life; immediately tied up his arm with
a garter; and; pulling out a horse…fleam; let him blood in the
farrier stile。 At first a few drops only issued from the
orifice; but the limb being chafed; in a little time the blood
began to flow in a continued stream; and he uttered some
incoherent words; which were the most welcome sounds that ever
saluted my ear。 There was a country inn hard by; the landlord of
which had by this time come with his people to give their
assistance。 Thither my uncle being carried; was undressed and
put to bed; wrapped in warm blankets; but having been moved too
soon; he fainted away; and once more lay without sense or motion;
notwithstanding all the efforts of Clinker and the landlord; who
bathed his temples with Hungary water; and held a smelling…bottle
to his nose。 As I had heard of the efficacy of salt in such
cases; I ordered all that was in the house to be laid under his
head and body; and whether this application had the desired
effect; or nature of herself prevailed; he; in less than a
quarter of an hour; began to breathe regularly; and soon
retrieved his recollection; to the unspeakable joy of all the by…standers。
As for Clinker; his brain seemed to be affected。 He
laughed; and wept; and danced about in such a distracted manner;
that the landlord very judiciously conveyed him out of the room。
My uncle; seeing me dropping wet; comprehended the whole of what
had happened; and asked if all the company was safe? Being
answered in the affirmative; he insisted upon my putting on dry
clothes; and; having swallowed a little warm wine; desired he
might be left to his repose。 Before I went to shift myself; I
inquired about the rest of the family I found Mrs Tabitha still
delirious from her fright; discharging very copiously the water
she had swallowed。 She was supported by the captain; distilling
drops from his uncurled periwig; so lank and so dank; that he
looked like Father Thames without his sedges; embracing Isis;
while she cascaded in his urn。 Mrs Jenkins was present also; in a
loose bed gown; without either cap or handkerchief; but she
seemed to be as little compos mentis as her mistress; and acted
so many cross purposes in the course of her attendance; that;
between the two; Lismahago had occasion for all his philosophy。
As for Liddy; I thought the poor girl would have actually lost
her senses。 The good woman of the house had shifted her linen;
and put her into bed; but she was seized with the idea that her
uncle had perished; and in this persuasion made a dismal out…cry;
nor did she pay the least regard to what I said; when I solemnly
assured her he was safe。 Mr Bramble hearing the noise; and being
informed of her apprehension; desired she might be brought into
his chamber; and she no sooner received this intimation; than she
ran thither half naked; with the wildest expression of eagerness
in her countenance Seeing the 'squire sitting up in the bed; she
sprung forwards and throwing her arms about his neck; exclaimed
in a most pathetic tone; 'Are you Are you indeed my uncle My
dear uncle! My best friend! My father! Are you really living?
or is it an illusion of my poor brain!' Honest Matthew was so
much affected; that he could not help shedding tears; while he
kissed her forehead; saying; 'My dear Liddy; I hope I shall live
long enough to shew how sensible I am of your affection But your
spirits are fluttered; child You want rest Go to bed and
compose yourself' 'Well; I will (she replied) but still methinks
this cannot be real The coach was full of water My uncle was
under us all Gracious God! You was under water How did you get
out; tell me that? or I shall think this is all a deception'
'In what manner I was brought out; I know as little as you do; my
dear (said the 'squire); and; truly; that is a circumstance of
which I want to be informed。' 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。' 'Lord make me thankful for all these mercies! (cried
Clinker; sobbing); I have been a poor bankrupt from the
beginning your honour's goodness found me; when I was naked
when I was sick and forlorn I understand your honour's looks I
would not give offence but my heart is very full and if your
worship won't give me leave to speak; I must vent it in prayers
to heaven for my benefactor。' When he quitted the room; Lismahago
said; he should have a much better opinion of his honesty; if he
did not whine and cant so abominably; but that he had always
observed those weeping and praying fellows were hypocrites at
bottom。 Mr Bramble made no reply to this sarcastic remark;
proceeding from the lieutenant's resentment of Clinker having; in
pure simplicity of heart; ranked him with M'Alpine and the
sinners of the earth The landlord being called to receive some
orders about the beds; told the 'squire that his house was very
much at his service; but he was sure he should not have the
honour to lodge him and his company。 He gave us to understand
that his master who lived hard by; would not suffer us to be at a
public house; when there was accommodation for us at his own; and
that; if he had not dined abroad in the neighbourhood he would
have undoubtedly come to offer his services at our first arrival。
He then launched out in praise of that gentleman; whom he had
served as butler; representing him as a perfect miracle of
goodness and generosity。 He said he was a person of great
learning; and allowed to be the best farmer in the country: that
he had a lady who was as much beloved as himself; and an only
son; a very hopeful young gentleman; just recovered from a
dangerous fever; which had like to have proved fatal to the whole
family; for; if the son had died; he was sure the parents would
not have survived their loss He had not yet finished the
encomium of Mr Dennison; when this gentleman arrived in a post…chaise;
and his appearance seemed to justify all that had been
said in his favour。 He is pretty well advanced in years; but
hale; robust; and florid; with an ingenuous countenance;
expressive of good sense and humanity。 Having condoled with us on
the accident which had happened; he said he was come to conduct
us to his habitation; where we should be less incommoded than at
such a paultry inn; and expressed his hope that the ladies would
not be the worse for going thither in his carriage; as the
distance was not above a quarter of a mile。 My uncle having made
a proper return to this courteous exhibition; eyed him
attentively; and then asked if he had not been at Oxford; a
commoner of Queen's college? When Mr Dennison answered; 'Yes;'
with some marks of surprise 'Look at me then (said our squire)
and let us see if you can recollect the features of an old
friend; whom you have not seen these forty years。' The
gentleman; taking him by the hand; and gazing at him earnestly;
'I protest (cried he); I do think I recall the idea of Matthew
Loyd of Glamorganshire; who was student of Jesus。' 'Well
remembered; my dear friend; Charles Dennison (exclaimed my uncle;
pressing him to his breast); I am that very identical Matthew
Loyd of Glamorgan。' Clinker; who had just entered the room with
some coals for the fire; no sooner heard these words; than
throwing dow