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into the river Gander； were dimly seen contending with the tide like
the relics of neas's shipwreck；…
Rari apparent mantes in gurgite vasto。
I applied my poor exertions where they seemed to be most needed；
and with the assistance of one or two of the company who had escaped
unhurt； easily succeeded in fishing out two of the unfortunate
passengers； who were stout active young fellows； and； but for the
preposterous length of their greatcoats； and the equally fashionable
latitude and longitude of their Wellington trousers； would have required
little assistance from any one。 The third was sickly and
elderly； and might have perished but for the efforts used to preserve
him。
When the two greatcoated gentlemen had extricated themselves from
the river； and shaken their ears like huge water…dogs； a violent altercation
ensued betwixt them and the coachman and guard； concerning
the cause of their overthrow。 In the course of the squabble； I observed
that both my new acquaintances belonged to the law； and that their
professional sharpness was likely to prove an overmatch for the surly
and official tone of the guardians of the vehicle。 The dispute ended
in the guard assuring the passengers that they should have seats in a
heavy coach which would pass that spot in less than half…an…hour；
provided it were not full。 Chance seemed to favour this arrangement；
for when the expected vehicle； arrived； there were only two places
occupied in a carriage which professed to carry six。 The two ladies
who had been disinterred out of the fallen vehicle were readily admitted；
but positive objections were stated by those previously in
possession to the admittance of the two lawyers； whose wetted garments
being much of the nature of well…soaked sponges； there was every
reason to believe they would refund a considerable part of the water
they had collected； to the inconvenience of their fellow…passengers。 On
the other hand； the lawyers rejected a seat on the roof； alleging that
they had only taken that station for pleasure for one stage； but were
entitled in all respects to free egress and regress from the interior； to
which their contract positively referred。 After some altercation； in
which something was said upon the edict _Naut caupones stabularii；_
the coach went off； leaving the learned gentlemen to abide by their
action of damages。
They immediately applied to me to guide them to the next village
and the best inn； and from the account I gave them of the Wallace
Head； declared they were much better pleased to stop there than to go
forward upon the terms of that impudent scoundrel the guard of the
Somerset。 All that they now wanted was a lad to carry their
travelling bags； who was easily procured from an adjoining cottage；
and they prepared to walk forward； when they found there was
another passenger in the same deserted situation with themselves。
This was the elderly and sickly…looking person； who had been precipitated
into the river along with the two young lawyers。 He； it
seems； had been too modest to push his own plea against the coachman
when he saw that of his betters rejected； and now remained
behind with a look of timid anxiety； plainly intimating that he was
deficient in those means of recommendation which are necessary passports
to the hospitality of an inn。
I ventured to call the attention of the two dashing young blades；
for such they seemed； to the desolate condition of their fellow…traveller。
They took the hint with ready good…nature。
‘‘O； true； Mr。 Dunover；'' said one of the youngsters； ‘‘you must
not remain on the pav