We then both waded out of the water, he sat down on the side of the bridge, and I called to some men in a neighbouring field to come and help the postillion. I then returned to the gentleman, who was shivering as if in an ague fit. I asked if I should run and get him help, for he seemed very ill? 'You are a compassionate brave little fellow,' said he; and, looking more earnestly at me, exclaimed, 'I hope you are not hurt; how came you so bloody?' I knew not what to say, and returned no answer. 'You do not speak, child?' said he. 'Let me go and get you some help, Sir,' replied I--'Nay, nay, but are you hurt?'--'Not more than I was before this accident'--'Where do you come from?'--I was silent--'Who are you?'--'A poor friendless boy'--'Have you not a father?'--'No'--'A mother?'--'Yes: but she is forsaken by her father, and cannot get bread for herself?'--'How came you in this condition?'--'My master knocked me down and trod on me'--'Knocked you down and trod on you?'--'Yes: he was very cruel to me'--'Cruel indeed! Did he often treat you ill?'--'I do not know what other poor boys suffer, but he was so passionate that I was never safe.'--'And you have run away from him?'--'I was afraid he would murder me'--'Poor creature! Your eye is black, your forehead cut, and your hair quite clotted with blood'--'I have a bad gash in my head; but I can bear it. You shake worse and worse; let me go and get you some help; the village is not far off.'--'I feel I am not well'--'Shall I call one of the men?'--'Do, my good fellow.' I ran, and the men came; they had set the carriage on its wheels, but it was entirely wet, and not fit to ride in. The gentleman therefore leaned on one of them, walked slowly back to the village, and desired me to follow. I gladly obeyed the order. He had pitied me, I had saved his life; if I could not make a friend I was in danger of starving, and I began to hope that I had now found one. The best accommodations that the only inn in the village afforded were quickly procured. At first the gentleman ordered a post-chaise, to return home; but he soon felt himself so ill that he desired a bed might be got ready, and in the mean time sent to the nearest medical man, both for himself and to examine my wounds. What was still better, he ordered the people of the house to give me whatever I chose to eat and drink, and told them he had certainly been a dead man at that moment, if it had not been for me. But he would not forget me; he would take care of me as long as he lived.