about three o’clock in the afternoon
-- You was under water -- How did you get out ; -- tell me that ? or I shall think this is all a deception ' -- ` In what manner I was brought out , I know as little as you do , my dear -LRB- said the ` squire -RRB- ; and , truly , that is a circumstance of which I want to be informed . ' I would have given him a detail of the whole adventure , but he would not hear me until I should change my clothes ; so that I had only time to tell him , that he owed his life to the courage and fidelity of Clinker : and having given him this hint , I conducted my sister to her own chamber . This accident happened about three o'clock in the afternoon , and in little more than an hour the hurricane was all over ; but as the carriage was found to be so much damaged , that it could not proceed without considerable repairs , a blacksmith and wheelwright were immediately sent for to the next market-town , and we congratulated ourselves upon being housed at an inn , which , though remote from the post-road , afforded exceeding good lodging . The women being pretty well composed , and the men all a-foot , my uncle sent for his servant , and , in the presence of Lismahago and me , accosted him in these words -- ` So , Clinker , I find you are resolved I sha n't die by water -- As you have fished me up from the bottom at your own risque , you are at least entitled to all the money that was in my pocket , and there it is ' -- So saying , he presented him with a purse containing thirty guineas , and a ring nearly of the same value -- ` God forbid ! -LRB- cried Clinker -RRB- , your honour shall excuse me -- I am a poor fellow , but I have a heart O ! if your honour did but know how I rejoice to see -- Blessed be his holy name , that made me the humble instrument -- But as for the lucre of gain , I renounce it -- I have done no more than my duty -- No more than I would have done for the most worthless of my fellow-creatures -- No more than I would have done for captain Lismahago , or Archy Macalpine , or any sinner upon earth -- But for your worship , I would go through fire as well as water ' -- ` I do believe it , Humphry -LRB- said the ` squire -RRB- ; but as you think it was your duty to save my life at the hazard of your own , I think it is mine to express the sense I have of your extraordinary fidelity and attachment -- I insist upon your receiving this small token of my gratitude ; but do n't imagine that I look upon this as an adequate recompence for the service you have done me -- I have determined to settle thirty pounds a-year upon you for life ; and I desire these gentlemen will bear witness to this my intention , of which I have a memorandum in my pocketbook . '