After this intimation we climbed up, and gained a situation in the rear of the wagon under the cloth. As the wagoner said, there was plenty of room, and we nestled into the straw without coming into contact with the other travellers. Not feeling any inclination to sleep, Timothy and I entered into conversation, _sotto voce_, and had continued for more than half an hour, supposing by their silence that the other occupants of the wagon were asleep, when we were interrupted by a voice clear and sonorous as a bell. "It would appear that you are wanderers, young men, and journey you know not whither. Birds seek their nests when the night falls--beasts hasten to their lairs--man bolts his door. '_Propria quae maribus_,' as Herodotus hath it; which, when translated, means, that 'such is the nature of mankind.' '_Tribuuntur mascula dicas_' 'Tell me your troubles,' as Homer says." I was very much surprised at this address--my knowledge of the language told me immediately that the quotations were out of the Latin grammar, and that all his learning was pretence; still there was a novelty of style which amused me, and at the same time gave me an idea that the speaker was an uncommon personage. I gave Timothy a nudge, and then replied, "You have guessed right, most learned sir; we are, as you say, wanderers seeking our fortunes, and trust yet to find them--still we have a weary journey before us, '_Haustus hora somni sumendum_,' as Aristotle hath it; which I need not translate to so learned a person as yourself." "Nay, indeed, there is no occasion; yet am I pleased to meet with one who hath scholarship," replied the other. "Have you also a knowledge of the Greek?" "No, I pretend not to Greek." "It is a pity that thou hast it not, for thou wouldst delight to commune with the ancients. Esculapius hath these words--'A_shol_der--offmotton--_acca_pon--pasti--venison,'--which I will translate for thee--'We often find what we seek, when we least expect it.' May it be so with you, my friend. Where have you been educated? and what has been your profession?" I thought I risked little in telling, so I replied, that I had been brought up as a surgeon and apothecary, and had been educated at a foundation school.