to perform the ceremony this very evening. To which the doctor objected, as no one was prepared with
a speech, unless, said he (turning to Adams with a gravity of countenance which would have deceived
a more knowing man), you have a sermon about you, doctor. Sir, said Adams, I never travel without
one, for fear of what may happen. He was easily prevailed on by his worthy friend, as he now called
the doctor, to undertake the part of the ambassador; so that the gentleman sent immediate orders to
have the throne erected, which was performed before they had drank two bottles; and, perhaps, the reader
will hereafter have no great reason to admire the nimbleness of the servants. Indeed, to confess the
truth, the throne was no more than this: there was a great tub of water provided, on each side of which
were placed two stools raised higher than the surface of the tub, and over the whole was laid a blanket; on
these stools were placed the king and queen, namely, the master of the house and the captain. And
now the ambassador was introduced between the poet and the doctor; who, having read his sermon, to
the great entertainment of all present, was led up to his place and seated between their majesties. They
immediately rose up, when the blanket, wanting its supports at either end, gave way, and soused Adams
over head and ears in the water. The captain made his escape, but, unluckily, the gentleman himself
not being as nimble as he ought, Adams caught hold of him before he descended from his throne, and
pulled him in with him, to the entire secret satisfaction of all the company. Adams, after ducking the
squire twice or thrice, leapt out of the tub, and looked sharp for the doctor, whom he would certainly
have conveyed to the same place of honour; but he had wisely withdrawn: he then searched for his crabstick,
and having found that, as well as his fellow-travellers, he declared he would not stay a moment longer in
such a house. He then departed, without taking leave of his host, whom he had exacted a more severe
revenge on than he intended; for, as he did not use sufficient care to dry himself in time, he caught a
cold by the accident which threw him into a fever that had like to have cost him his life.