s reward, for the astonishment of the widow at finding the gold in her
reticule--her narrative of what passed, and her assertion (which she
firmly believed to be true), that she had never left her reticule out of
her hand, and that Melchior had only touched it with his wand, raised
his reputation to that degree, that nothing else was talked about
throughout the town, and, to crown all, the next day's post brought her
a letter and remittances from her son; and the grateful woman returned,
and laid ten guineas on the black cloth, showering a thousand blessings
upon Melchior, and almost worshipped him as a supernatural being. This
was a most fortunate occurrence, and as Melchior prophesied, the harvest
did now commence. In four days we had received upwards of L200, and we
then thought it time that we should depart. The letters arrived, which
were expected, and when we set off in a chaise and four, the crowd to
see us was so great, that it was with difficulty we could pass through
it.

Chapter XIV

In which Melchior talks very much like an astrologer, and Tim and I
return to our old trade of making up innocent prescriptions.

We had taken our horses for the next town; but as soon as we were fairly
on the road, I stopped the boys, and told them that the Great
Aristodemus intended to observe the planets and stars that night, and
that they were to proceed to a common which I mentioned. The post-boys,
who were well aware of his fame, and as fully persuaded of it as
everybody else, drove to the common; we descended, took off the luggage,
and received directions from Melchior in their presence about the
instruments, to which the boys listened with open mouths and wonderment.
I paid them well, and told them they might return, which they appeared
very glad to do. They reported what had occurred, and this simple method
of regaining our camp, added to the astonishment of the good town
of ----. When they were out of sight we resumed our usual clothes, packed
all up, carried away most of our effects, and hid the others in the
furze to be sent for the next night, not being more than two miles from
the camp. We soon arrived, and were joyfully received by Fleta and
Nattee.

As we walked across the common, I observed to Melchior, "I wonder if
these stars have any influence upon mortals, as it was formerly
supposed?"

"Most assuredly they have," rejoined Melchior. "I cannot read them, but
I firmly believe in them."