same place in a post-waggon, which
that same evening brought them in safety to the banks of the Maese. They
put up at an English house of entertainment, remarkable for the modesty
and moderation of the landlord; and next morning the doctor went in
person to deliver letters of recommendation to two Dutch gentlemen from
one of his acquaintance at Paris. Neither of them happened to be at home
when he called; so that he left a message at their lodgings, with his
address; and in the afternoon, they waited upon the company, and, after
many hospitable professions, one of the two invited them to spend the
evening at his house.

Meanwhile they had provided a pleasure yacht, in which they proposed to
treat them with an excursion upon the Maese. This being almost the only
diversion that place affords, our young gentleman relished the proposal;
and, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Mr. Jolter, who declined the
voyage on account of the roughness of the weather, they went on board
without hesitation, and found a collation prepared in the cabin. While
they tacked to and fro in the river, under the impulse of a mackerel
breeze, the physician expressed his satisfaction, and Pallet was
ravished with the entertainment. But the wind increasing, to the
unspeakable joy of the Dutchmen, who had now an opportunity of showing
their dexterity in the management of the vessel, the guests found it
inconvenient to stand upon deck, and impossible to sit below, on account
of the clouds of tobacco smoke which rolled from the pipes of their
entertainers, in such volumes as annoyed them even to the hazard of
suffocation. This fumigation, together with the extraordinary motion
of the ship, began to affect the head and stomach of the painter, who
begged earnestly to be set on shore. But the Dutch gentlemen, who had no
idea of his sufferings, insisted, with surprising obstinacy of regard,
upon his staying until he should see an instance of the skill of the
mariners; and, bringing him on deck, commanded the men to carry the
vessel's lee gunwale under water. This nicety of navigation they
instantly performed, to the admiration of Pickle, the discomposure of
the doctor, and terror of Pallet, who blessed himself from the courtesy
of a Dutchman, and prayed to Heaven for his deliverance.

While the Hollanders enjoyed the reputation of this feat, and the
distress of the painter, at the same time, the yacht was overtaken by
a sudden squall, that overset her i