six
o’clock
On the third day of his fast , he found himself entirely freed of his complaint ; but refused taking sustenance . He said the most disagreeable part of the voyage was past , and he should be a cursed fool indeed , to put about ship , when he was just entering the harbour . In these sentiments he persisted , without any marks of affectation , and thus finished his course with such case and serenity , as would have done honour to the firmest Stoic of antiquity . -RSB- But , to return from one humourist to another , you must know I have received benefit , both from the chalybeate and the sea , and would have used them longer , had not a most ridiculous adventure , by making me the town-talk , obliged me to leave the place ; for I ca n't bear the thoughts of affording a spectacle to the multitude Yesterday morning , at six o'clock , I went down to the bathing-place , attended by my servant Clinker , who waited on the beach as usual -- The wind blowing from the north , and the weather being hazy , the water proved so chill , that when I rose from my first plunge , I could not help sobbing and bawling out , from the effects of the cold . Clinker , who heard me cry , and saw me indistinctly a good way without the guide , buffetting the waves , took it for granted I was drowning , and rushing into the sea , clothes and all , overturned the guide in his hurry to save his master . I had swam out a few strokes , when hearing a noise , I turned about and saw Clinker , already up to his neck , advancing towards me , with all the wildness of terror in his aspect -- Afraid he would get out of his depth , I made haste to meet him , when , all of a sudden , he seized me by one ear , dragged me bellowing with pain upon the dry beach , to the astonishment of all the people , men , and women , and children there assembled . I was so exasperated by the pain of my ear , and the disgrace of being exposed in such an attitude , that , in the first transport I struck him down ; then , running back into the sea , took shelter in the machine where my clothes had been deposited .