In requital for which I treated them with a song, not of Romanvile, but the song of “Sivory and the horse Grayman.”  I remained with them till it was dark, having, after sunset, entered into deep discourse with a celebrated ratcatcher, who communicated to me the secrets of his trade, saying, amongst other things, “When you see the rats pouring out of their holes, and running up my hands and arms, it’s not after me they comes, but after the oils I carries about me they comes;” and who subsequently spoke in the most enthusiastic manner of his trade, saying that it was the best trade in the world, and most diverting, and that it was likely to last for ever; for whereas all other kinds of vermin were fast disappearing from England, rats were every day becoming more abundant.  I had quitted this good company, and having mounted my horse, was making my way towards a town at about six miles’ distance, at a swinging trot, my thoughts deeply engaged on what I had gathered from the ratcatcher, when all on a sudden a light glared upon the horse’s face, who purled round in great terror, and flung me out of the saddle, as from a sling, or with as much violence as the horse Grayman, in the ballad, flings Sivord the Snareswayne.  I fell upon the ground—­felt a kind of crashing about my neck—­and forthwith became senseless.

CHAPTER XXXI

A Novel Situation—­The Elderly Individual—­The Surgeon—­A Kind Offer—­Chimerical Ideas—­Strange Dream.

How long I remained senseless I cannot say, for a considerable time, I believe; at length, opening my eyes, I found myself lying on a bed in a middle-sized chamber, lighted by a candle, which stood on a table—­an elderly man stood near me, and a yet more elderly female was holding a phial of very pungent salts to my olfactory organ.  I attempted to move, but felt very stiff—­my right arm appeared nearly paralysed, and there was a strange dull sensation in my head.  “You had better remain still, young man,” said the elderly individual, “the surgeon will be here presently; I have sent a message for him to the neighbouring village.”  “Where am I?” said I, “and what has happened?” “You are in my house,” said the old man, “and you have been flung from a horse.  I am sorry to say that I was the cause.  As I was driving home, the lights in my gig frightened the animal.”  “Where is the horse?” said I.  “Below, in my stable,” said the elderly individual.  “I saw you fall, but knowing that on account of my age I could be of little use to you, I instantly hurried home, the accident did not occur more than a furlong off, and procuring the assistance of my lad, and two or three neighbouring cottagers, I returned to the spot where you were lying senseless.  We raised you up, and brought you here.  My lad then went in quest of the horse, who had run away as we drew nigh.  When we saw him first he was standing near you; he caught him with some difficulty, and brought him home.  What