was situated, that I was in a street that went out towards Hadley, but
that such a street went towards the water-side, such a street towards
Colchester, and so the London road lay there.

I had soon my ends of this old woman, for I only wanted to know which
was the London road, and away I walked as fast as I could; not that I
intended to go on foot, either to London or to Colchester, but I wanted
to get quietly away from Ipswich.

I walked about two or three miles, and then I met a plain countryman,
who was busy about some husbandry work, I did not know what, and I
asked him a great many questions first, not much to the purpose, but at
last told him I was going for London, and the coach was full, and I
could not get a passage, and asked him if he could tell me where to
hire a horse that would carry double, and an honest man to ride before
me to Colchester, that so I might get a place there in the coaches.
The honest clown looked earnestly at me, and said nothing for above
half a minute, when, scratching his poll, 'A horse, say you and to
Colchester, to carry double? why yes, mistress, alack-a-day, you may
have horses enough for money.' 'Well, friend,' says I, 'that I take
for granted; I don't expect it without money.' 'Why, but, mistress,'
says he, 'how much are you willing to give?' 'Nay,' says I again,
'friend, I don't know what your rates are in the country here, for I am
a stranger; but if you can get one for me, get it as cheap as you can,
and I'll give you somewhat for your pains.'

'Why, that's honestly said too,' says the countryman. 'Not so honest,
neither,' said I to myself, 'if thou knewest all.' 'Why, mistress,'
says he, 'I have a horse that will carry double, and I don't much care
if I go myself with you,' and the like. 'Will you?' says I; 'well, I
believe you are an honest man; if you will, I shall be glad of it; I'll
pay you in reason.' 'Why, look ye, mistress,' says he, 'I won't be out
of reason with you, then; if I carry you to Colchester, it will be
worth five shillings for myself and my horse, for I shall hardly come
back to-night.'

In short, I hired the honest man and his horse; but when we came to a
town upon the road (I do not remember the name of it, but it stands
upon a river), I pretended myself very ill, and I could go no farther
that night but if he would stay there with me, because I was a
stranger, I would pay him for himself and his horse with all my heart.

This I did because