“Why, when I have the flea as tight as you state,
I may as well kill him myself.”
“Very true, so you may, if you prefer it; but
if you do not, you may use this powder, which upon
my honour is infallible.”
This occasioned a great deal of mirth among the bystanders.
Timothy kept his sixpence, and our exhibition for
this day ended, very much to the satisfaction of Melchior,
who declared he had taken more than ever he had done
before in a whole week. Indeed, the whole sum
amounted to L17, 10s., all taken in shillings and
sixpences, for articles hardly worth the odd shillings
in the account; so we sat down to supper with anticipations
of a good harvest, and so it proved. We stayed
four days at this town, and then proceeded onwards,
when the like success attended us, Timothy and I being
obliged to sit up nearly the whole night to label
and roll up pills, and mix medicines, which we did
in a very scientific manner. Nor was it always
that Melchior presided; he would very often tell his
audience that business required his attendance elsewhere,
to visit the sick, and that he left the explanation
of his medicines and their properties to his pupil,
who was far advanced in knowledge. With my prepossessing
appearance, I made a great effect, more especially
among the ladies, and Timothy exerted himself so much
when with me, that we never failed to bring home to
Melchior a great addition to his earnings—so
much so, that at last he only showed himself, pretended
that he was so importuned to visit sick persons, that
he could stay no longer, and then left us, after the
first half hour, to carry on the business for him.
After six weeks of uninterrupted success, we returned
to the camp, which, as usual, was not very far off.
Important news, but
not communicated—A dissolution of partnership
takes place.
Melchior’s profits had been much more than he
anticipated, and he was very liberal to Timothy and
myself; indeed, he looked upon me as his right hand,
and became more intimate and attached every day.
We were, of course, delighted to return to the camp,
after our excursion. There was so much continued
bustle and excitement in our peculiar profession, that
a little quiet was delightful; and I never felt more
happy than when Fleta threw herself into my arms,
and Nattee came forward with her usual dignity and
grace, but with more than usual condescendence and
kindness, bidding me welcome home. Home—alas!
it was never meant for my home, or poor Fleta’s—and
that I felt. It was our sojourn for a time, and
no more.
