The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

304 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
in a solemn snuffling tone, that heightened the ridicule of the
scene. The emetic having done its office, the doctor interfered,
and ordered the patient to be put in bed again. When he examined
the egista, and felt his pulse, he declared that much of the virus
was discharged, and, giving him a composing draught, assured him
he had good hopes of his recovery.—This welcome hint he received
with the tears of joy in his eyes, protesting, that if he should
recover, he would always think himself indebted for his life to the
great skill and tenderness of his doctor, whose hand he squeezed
with great fervor; and thus he was left to his repose.
We were pressed to stay dinner, that we might be witnesses of
his resuscitation; but my uncle insisted upon our departing before
noon, that we might reach this town before it should be dark.—
In the mean time, lady Bullford conducted us into the garden to
see a fish-pond just finished, which Mr. Bramble censured as being
too near the parlour, where the knight now sat by himself, dozing
in an elbow-chair after the fatigues of his morning achievement.—
In this situation he reclined, with his feet wrapped in flannel, and
supported in a line with his body, when the door flying open with
a violent shock, lieutenant Lismahago rushed into the room with
horror in his looks, exclaiming, ‘A mad dog! a mad dog!’ and
throwing up the window sash, leaped into the garden.—Sir
Thomas, waked by this tremendous exclamation, started up, and
forgetting his gout, followed the lieutenant’s example by a kind of
instinctive impulse.—He not only bolted thro’ the window like an
arrow from a bow, but ran up to his middle in the pond before he
gave the least sign of recollection. Then the captain began to bawl,
‘Lord, have mercy upon us!—pray, take care of the gentleman!—
for God’s sake, mind your footing, my dear boy!—get warm
blankets—comfort his poor carcase—warm the bed in the green
room.’
Lady Bullford was thunder-struck at this phænomenon, and the
rest of the company gazed in silent astonishment, while the ser-
vants hastened to assist their master, who suffered himself to be
carried back into the parlour without speaking a word.—Being
instantly accommodated with dry clothes and flannels, comforted
with a cordial, and replaced in statu quo, one of the maids was
ordered to chafe his lower extremities, an operation in conse-
quence of which his senses seemed to return and his good humour
to revive.—As we had followed him into the room, he looked at