DIARY OF CAPTAIN LAMSON 245 



took of the same disease. When I had 

 breakfasted and found the stage at the 

 door, I wished to know in broken English 

 what I was to pay. She kindly told me 

 <2 6d. I saw eighteen pence paid by one 

 gentleman who breakfasted as I had, and, 

 as there was no time to parley, I told her in 

 good English that she ought to loose her 

 place for attempting to impose on a traveller. 

 I gave her eighteen pence, when, as though 

 struck dumb, she courtseyed and asked me 

 to remember the maid. I told her I should 

 always remember her when I passed that 

 way. On mounting the coach the bar- 

 keeper came out with a demand on account 

 of the officer but I gave him the Spanish 

 reply "no entiendo." The gentleman on 

 the stage, supposing I was foreign, and 

 being told I was supercargo of a Spanish 

 Brig from the West Indies, would not suf- 

 fer me to pay, but on the contrary took my 

 money, paid all my travelling fare and gave 

 me my change regularly as he paid. I could 

 hardly refrain from laughing when they 



