112 CREDITOR 



and simple elucidation of the holy text with his glittering 

 and verbose display of evangelical learning. 



Some few weeks after this my friend fell into pecuniary 

 difficulties, and the proprietors were informed the coach 

 and horses were likely to be seized at Lynn by one of his 

 principal creditors. Upon this I was sent down to make 

 what arrangement I thought best to prevent the incon- 

 venience that must arise from a stoppage, and to place 

 the concern on some more sure and solid foundation, in 

 the event of my friend not being able to resume his 

 position ; that is, to seek out some one of the respectable 

 inn-keepers in the town to become the Lynn proprietor. 



This creditor was waiting the arrival of the coach from 

 London, everyone seemed to stand in the greatest awe of 

 him, he being one of the principal merchants in the town, 

 — and the officer by his direction took possession of both 

 coach and horses. I expostulating with him on so hasty 

 a proceeding, he demanded to know who I was that T 

 should dare to interfere. I told him that I was there to 

 represent the Lynn and London Coach Company, and 

 denied his right, whatever his claim might be, to put 

 them to a loss, and the public to a great inconvenience. 



The officer then produced his warrant. I cried, " Take 

 the horses with their harness, but touch the coach at 

 your peril." 



There were a number of people present, most of them 

 wondering at my impudence at thus setting their great 

 man at defiance. 



" And why not the coach, sir?" asked the gentleman. 



" If you will walk into the office I will tell you, sir," 

 I replied. 



