and the gentleman’s horse following, got one of his hind feet jammed between two of the stones: when his horse was freed, he asked “Is there no other road?” “Yes,” replied Metcalf, “there is another, but it is a mile about:” knowing at the same time that there was a dirty cart-way just at hand, but to which upon some account he preferred this rugged path. Arrived at their journey’s end, they stopped at the house now called the Granby, but found that the ostler was gone to bed.—Metcalf being very well acquainted with the place, led both the horses into the stable, and the ostler soon after appearing, he delivered them to his care, and went into the house to inquire after his fellow-traveller, whom he found comfortably seated over a tankard of negus, in which he pledged his guide; but when Metcalf attempted to take the tankard, he reached out his hand wide of the mark: however, he soon found it, and drank; and going out again, left to the landlord the opportunity of explaining to his companion what he was not yet sensible of.—“I think, landlord,” said the gentleman, “my guide must have drank a great deal of spirits since we came here.”—“Why, my good Sir, do you think so?”—“Well, I judge so from the appearance of his _eyes_.”—“_Eyes!_ bless you, Sir,” rejoined the landlord, “do not you know that he is BLIND?”—“What do you mean by that?”—“I mean, Sir, that _he cannot see_.”—“BLIND! Gracious God!!”—“Yes, Sir; as blind as a stone, by Heaven!”—“Well, landlord,” said the gentleman, “this is too much: call him in.” Metcalf enters. “My friend, are you really blind?”—“Yes, Sir; I lost my sight when six years old.”—“Had I known that, I would not have ventured with you for an hundred pounds.”—“And I, Sir,” said Metcalf, “would not have lost my way for a thousand.” This conversation ended, they sat down, and drank plentifully. Metcalf had with him a case containing a new fiddle which he had just received from London, and the gentleman observing it, desired him to play: the guide gave him as much satisfaction in this way, as he had before done in the character of a conductor; and the services of the evening were rewarded by a present of two guineas, besides a plentiful entertainment the next day, at the cost of this gentleman, who looked upon the adventure with Metcalf as the most extraordinary incident he had ever met with. 1736. The Harrogate season now commencing, Metcalf, of course, resumed his occupation; and, being of a jocular and comic turn, was so well received at all the inns, that he obtained free quarters for himself and horse.