Hatchway disappeared, and Ravine proceeded with great fluency of abuse, until he was interrupted by the arrival of Pipes, who, without any expostulation, led him out by the hand, and conducted him to the yard, where he was put into a carpet, and in a twinkling sent into the air by the strength and dexterity of five stout operators, whom the lieutenant had selected from the number of domestics for that singular spell of duty.

adversary's indignation been repressed by | couple of broad glasses, instead of eyes. On
the suggestions of the lieutenant, who de- the inside of these he placed two rush-lights,
sired his friend, in a whisper, to be easy, for and with a composition of sulphur and salt-
he would take care to have the attorney toss-petre, made a pretty large fuse, which he fix-
ed in a blanket for his presumption. This ed between two rows of the teeth. This
proposal, which he received with great ap- equipage being finished, he, one dark night,
probation, pacified him in a moment: he chosen for the purpose, put it on, and follow-
wiped the sweat from his forehead, and his ing the commodore into a long passage, in
features relaxed into a grim smile.
which he was preceded by Perry with a light
in his hand, kindled his fire-work with a
match, and began to bellow like a bull.-
The boy, as it was concerted, looking be-
hind him, screamed aloud, and dropped the
light, which was extinguished in the fall:
when Trunnion, alarmed at his nephew's con-
sternation, exclaimed,-"Zounds! what's
the matter?" And turning about to see the
cause of his dismay, beheld a hideous phan-
tom vomiting blue flame, which aggravated
the horrors of its aspect. He was instantly
seized with an agony of fear, which divested
him of his reason; nevertheless, he, as it
were mechanically, raised his trusty sup-
porter in his own defence, and the apparition
advancing towards him, aimed it at this
dreadful annoyance with such a convulsive
exertion of strength, that, had not the blow
chanced to light upon one of the horns, Mr
Pipes would have had no cause to value him-
self upon his invention. Misapplied as it
was, he did not fail to stagger at the shock,
and, dreading another such salutation, clos-

In vain did the astonished vaulter beg for the love of God and passion of Christ, that they would take pity upon him, and put an end to his involuntary gambols; they were deaf to his prayers and protestations, even when he swore, in the most solemn manner, that, if they would cease tormenting him, he would forget and forgive what was past, and depart in peace to his own habitation; and continued the game till they were fatigued with the exercise.

Ravine being dismissed in a most melancholy plight, brought an action of assault and battery against the commodore, and subpo-ed with the commodore, and having tripped naed all the servants as evidences in the cause; but as none of them had seen what happened, he did not find his account in the prosecution, though he himself examined all the witnesses, and, among other questions, asked, whether they had not seen him come in like another man? and whether they had ever seen any other man in such a condition as that in which he had crawled off? but this last interrogation they were not obliged to answer, because it had a reference to the second discipline he had undergone, in which they, and they only, were concerned; and no person is bound to give testimony against himself.

up his heels, retreated with great expedition. It was then that Peregrine, pretending to recollect himself a little, ran with all the marks of disturbance and affright, and called up the servants to the assistance of their master, whom they found in a cold sweat upon the floor, his features betokening horror and confusion. Hatchway raised him up, and, having comforted him with a cup of Nantz, began to inquire into the cause of his disorder; but he could not extract one word of answer from his friend, who, after a considerable pause, during which he seemed to be wrapped up in profound contemplation, pronounced aloud." By the Lord! Jack, you may say what you wool; but I'll be damn'd if it was not Davy Jones himself. I know him by his saucer-eyes, his three rows of teeth, his horns and tail, and the blue smoke that came out of his nostrils. What does the blackguard hell's baby want with me? I am sure I never committed murder, except in the way of my profession, nor wronged any man whatsomever, since I first went to sea." This same Davy Jones, acThe next enterprise in which this trium- cording to the mythology of sailors, is the virate engaged, was a scheme to frighten fiend that presides over all the evil spirits of Trunnion with an apparition, which they the deep, and is often seen in various shapes, prepared and executed in this manner:-To perching among the rigging on the eve of the hide of a large ox, Pipes fitted a leathern hurricanes, shipwrecks, and other disasters, vizor, of a most terrible appearance, stretch- to which a seafaring life is exposed; warning ed on the jaws of a shark, which he had brought from sea, and accommodated with a

In short, the attorney was nonsuited, to the satisfaction of all who knew him, and found himself under the necessity of proving that he had received, in course of post, the letter which was declared in court à scandalous forgery, in order to prevent an indictment with which he was threatened by the commodore, who little dreamed that the whole affair had been planned and executed by Peregrine and his associates.

the devoted wretch of death and wo. No wonder, then, that Trunnion was disturbed

by a supposed visit of this demon, which, in his opinion, foreboded some dreadful ca- suppositious letter of recommendation from lamity.

CHAPTER XIV.

He is also, by their advice, engaged in an adventure with the exciseman, who does not find his account in his own drollery.

duce himself to the commodore, with a this detested kinsman; an imposition that, in all likelihood, would afford abundance of diversion.

The lieutenant relished the scheme, and young Pickle having composed an epistle for the occasion, the exciseman of the parish, a fellow of great impudence and some humour, in whom Hatchway could confide, undertook to transcribe and deliver it with his own hand, and also personate the man in whose favour it was feigned to be writ. He accord

HOWSOEVER preposterous and unaccountable that passion may be which prompts persons, otherwise generous and sympathising, to af-ingly one morning arrived on horseback at flict and perplex their fellow-creatures, certain it is, our confederates entertained such a large proportion of it, that, not satisfied with the pranks they had already played, they still persecuted the commodore without ceasing. In the course of his own history, the particulars of which he delighted to recount, he had often rehearsed an adventure of deer-stealing, in which (during the unthinking impetuosity of his youth) he had been unfortunately concerned. Far from succeeding in that achievement, he and his associates had (it seems) been made prisoners, after an obstinate engagement with the keepers, and carried before a neighbouring justice of the peace, who used Trunnion with great indignity, and with his companions committed him to jail.

the garrison, two hours at least before Trunnion used to get up, and gave Pipes, who admitted him, to understand, that he had a letter for his master, which he was ordered to deliver to none but the commodore himself. This message was no sooner communicated, than the indignant chief (who had been waked for the purpose) began to curse the messenger for breaking his rest, and swore he would not budge till his usual time of turning out. This resolution being conveyed to the stranger, he desired the carrier to go back and tell him he had such joyful tidings to impart that he was sure the commodore would think himself amply rewarded for his trouble, even if he had been raised from the grave to receive them.

This assurance, flattering as it was, would His own relations, and particularly an un-not have been powerful enough to persuade cle, on whom he chiefly depended, treated him during his confinement with great rigour and inhumanity, and absolutely refused to interpose their influence in his behalf, unless he would sign a writing, obliging himself to go to sea within thirty days after his release, under the penalty of being proceeded against as a felon. The alternative was, either to undergo this voluntary exile, or remain in prison, disowned and deserted by every body, and, after all, suffer an ignominious trial, that might end in a sentence of transportation for life. He therefore, without much hesitation, embraced the proposal of his kinsman, and (as he observed) was, in less than a month after his discharge, turned adrift to the mercy of the wind and waves. Since that period he had never maintained any correspondence with his relations, all of whom had concurred in sending him off: nor would he ever pay the least regard to the humiliations and supplications of some among them, who had prostrated themselves before him, on the advancement of his fortune; but he retained a most inveterate resentment against his uncle, who was still in being, though extremely old and infirm, and frequently mentioned his name with all the bitterness of revenge.

Perry being perfectly well acquainted with the particulars of this story, which he had heard so often repeated, proposed to Hatchway, that a person should be hired to intro

him, had it not been assisted with the exhortations of his spouse, which never failed to influence his conduct. He therefore crept out of bed, though not without great repug nance, and, wrapping himself in his morning gown, was supported down stairs, rubbing his eye, yawning fearfully, and grumbling all the way. As soon as he popped his head into the parlour, the supposed stranger made divers awkward bows, and with a grinning aspect accosted him in these words!" Your most humble servant, most noble commodore! I hope you are in good health; you look pure and hearty; and, if it was not for that misfortune of your eye, one would not desire to see a more pleasant countenance in a summer's day. Sure as I am a living soul, one would take you to be on this side of threescore. Laud help us! I should have known you to be a Trunnion, if I had met with you in the midst of Salisbury plain, as the saying is." The commodore, who was not at all in the humour of relishing such an impertinent preamble, interrupted him in this place, saying, with a peevish accent, "Pshaw! pshaw! brother, there's no occasion to bowse out so much unnecessary gum; if you can't bring your discourse to bear on the right subject, you had much better clap a stopper on your tongue, and bring yourself up, d'ye see: I was told you had something to deliver." "Deliver!" cried the waggish impostor, "odds heart! I have got something

for you that will make your very entrails re- | spit in his face, and call him horse; that I
joice within your body. Here's a letter from tear his letter into rags, so; and that I tram-
a dear and worthy friend of yours. Take, ple upon it as I would upon his own villanous
read it, and be happy. Blessings on his old carcass, d'ye see." So saying, he danced
heart! one would think he had renewed his in a sort of frenzy upon the fragments of the
age, like the eagles." Trunnion's expecta- paper, which he had scattered about the
tion being thus raised, he called for his spec- room, to the inexpressible satisfaction of the
tacles, adjusted them to his eye, took the triumvirate, who beheld the scene.
letter, and, being curious to know the sub-
scription, no sooner perceived his uncle's
name, than he started back, his lip quivered,
and he began to shake in every limb with re-
sentment and surprise; nevertheless, eager
to know the subject of an epistle from a per-
son who had never before troubled him with
any sort of address, he endeavoured to recol-
lect himself, and perused the contents, which
were these:

"LOVING NEPHEW,

The exciseman having got between him and the door, which was left open for his escape, in case of necessity, affected great confusion and surprise at his behaviour, saying, with an air of mortification,-" Lord be merciful unto me! is this the way you treat your own relations, and the recommendation of you best friend? Surely all gratitude and virtue have left this sinful world! What will cousin Tim, and Dick, and Tom, and good mother Pipkin, and her daughters, cousins "I doubt not but you will be rejoiced to Sue, and Prue, and Peg, with all the rest of hear of my welfare; and well you may, con- our kinsfolk, say, when they hear of this unsidering what a kind uncle I have been to conscionable reception that I have met with? you in the days of your youth, and how lit- Consider, sir, that ingratitude is worse than ile you deserved any such thing; for you the sin of witchcraft, as the apostle wisely was always a graceless young man, given to observes; and do not send me away with wicked courses and bad company, whereby such unchristian usage, which will lay a you would have come to a shameful end, had heavy load of guilt upon your poor miserable it not been for my care in sending you out soul." "What, you are on a cruise for a of mischief's way. But this is not the cause post, brother Trickle, an't ye?" (said Trunof my present writing. The bearer, Mr nion, interrupting him) 66 we shall find a post Timothy Trickle, is a distant relation of for you in a trice, my boy. Here, Pipes, yours, being the son of the cousin of your take this saucy son of a bitch, belay him to aunt Margery, and is not over and above well the whipping-post in the yard. I'll teach as to worldly matters. He thinks of going you to rouse me in the morning with such to London, to see for some post in the ex-impertinent messages." Pipes, who wanted cise or customs, if so be that you will recommend him to some great man of your acquaintance, and give him a small matter to keep him till he is provided. I doubt not, nephew, but you will be glad to serve him, if it was no more but for the respect you bear to me, who am, loving nephew, your affectionate uncle, and servant to command,

"TOBIAH TRUNNION."

It would be a difficult task for the inimitable Hogarth himself to exhibit the ludicrous expression of the commodore's countenance, while he read this letter. It was not a stare of astonishment, a convulsion of rage, or a ghastly grin of revenge, but an association of all three, that took possession of his features. At length he hawked up, with incredible straining, the interjection ah! that seemed to have stuck some time in his windpipe, and thus gave vent to his indignation: Have I come alongside of you at last, you old stinking curmudgeon! You lie, you lousy hulk, you lie you did all in your power to founder me when I was a stripling; and as for being graceless, and wicked, and keeping bad company, you tell a damned lie again, you thief; there was not a more peaceable lad in the county, and I kept no bad company but your own, d'ye see. Therefore, you Trickle, or what's your name, tell the old rascal that sent you hither, that I

to carry the joke farther than the exciseman dreamed of, laid hold of him in a twinkling, and executed the orders of his commander, notwithstanding all his nods, winking, and significant gestures, which the boatswain's mate would by no means understand: so that he began to repent of the part he acted in this performance, which was like to end so tragically, and stood fastened to the stake, in a very disagreeable state of suspense, casting many a rueful look over his left shoulder (while Pipes was absent in quest of a cat-o'-nine tails), in expectation of being relieved by the interposition of the lieutenant, who did not, however, appear. Tom, returning with the instrument of correction, undressed the delinquent in a trice, and whispering in his ear that he was very sorry for being employed in such an office, but durst not for his soul disobey the orders of his commander, flourished the scourge about his head, and, with admirable dexterity, made such a smarting application to the offender's back and shoulders, that the distracted gauger performed sundry new cuts with his feet, and bellowed hideously with pain, to the infinite satisfaction of the spectators. At length, when he was almost fleaed from his rump to the nape of his neck, Hatchway, who had purposely absented himself hitherto, appeared in the yard, and inter

posing in his behalf, prevailed upon Trunnion | to devour his chagrin, and extend his forto call off the executioner, and ordered the giveness even to Pipes, whom, in the first malefactor to be released. sally of his passion, he had looked upon in a more criminal light than that of a simple mutineer. This determination was seconded by another, which he thought absolutely necessary for his own repose, and in which his own interest and that of his nephew concurred.

The exciseman, mad with the catastrophe he had undergone, threatened to be revenged upon his employers, by making a candid confession of the whole plot; but the lieutenant giving him to understand, that, in so doing, he would bring upon himself a prosecution for fraud, forgery, and imposture, he Peregrine, who was now turned of twelve, was fain to put up with his loss, and sneaked had made such advances under the instrucout of the garrison, attended with a volley tion of Jennings, that he often disputed upon of curses discharged upon him by the com-grammar, and was sometimes thought to modore, who was exceedingly irritated by the disturbance and disappointment he had undergone.

CHAPTER XV.

The commodore detects the machinations of the conspirators, and hires a tutor for Peregrine, whom he settles at Winchester school.

THIS was not the least affliction he suffered from the unwearied endeavours and unexhausted invention of his tormentors, who harassed him with such a variety of mischievous pranks, that he began to think all the devils in hell had conspired against his peace; and accordingly became very serious and contemplative on the subject.

have the better in his contests with the parish priest, who, notwithstanding this acknowledged superiority of his antagonist, did great justice to his genius, which he assured Mr Trunnion would be lost for want of cultivation, if the boy was not immediately sent to prosecute his studies at some proper seminary of learning.

This maxim had been more than once inculcated upon the commodore by Mrs Trunnion, who, over and above the deference she paid to the parson's opinion, had a reason of her own for wishing to see the house clear of Peregrine, at whose prying disposition she began to be very uneasy. Induced by these motives, which were joined by the solicitation of the youth himself, who ardently longed to see a little more of the world, his uncle determined to send him forthwith to Winchester, under the immediate care and In the course of his meditations, when he inspection of a governor, to whom he allowrecollected and compared the circumstances ed a very handsome appointment for that of every mortification to which he had been purpose. This gentleman, whose name was lately exposed, he could not help suspecting Mr Jacob Jolter, had been school-fellow that some of them must have been contrived with the parson of the parish, who recomto vex him; and, as he was not ignorant of mended him to Mrs Trunnion as a person his lieutenant's disposition, nor unacquaint- of great worth and learning, in every respect ed with the talents of Peregrine, he resolved qualified for the office of a tutor. He liketo observe them both for the future with the wise added, by way of eulogium, that he was utmost care and circumspection. This re- a man of exemplary piety, and particularly solution, aided by the incautious conduct of zealous for the honour of the church, of the conspirators, whom, by this time, suc- which he was a member, having been many cess had rendered heedless and indiscreet, years in holy orders, though he did not then was attended with the desired effect. He in exercise any function of the priesthood. Ina little time detected Perry in a new plot, deed Mr Jolter's zeal was so exceedingly and, by dint of a little chastisement and a fervent, as on some occasions to get the betgreat many threats, extorted from him a ter of his discretion; for, being a high confession of all the contrivances in which churchman, and of consequence a malcon. he had been concerned. The commodore tent, his resentment was habituated into an was thunderstruck at the discovery, and so insurmountable prejudice against the present much incensed against Hatchway for the disposition of affairs, which, by confounding part he had acted in the whole, that he de- the nation with the ministry, sometimes led liberated with himself whether he should him into erroneous, not to say absurd, calcudemand satisfaction with sword and pistol, lations; otherwise a man of good morals, well or dismiss him from the garrison, and re-versed in mathematics and school divinity, nounce all friendship with him at once. But he had been so long accustomed to Jack's company, that he could not live without him; and, upon more cool reflection, perceiving that what he had done was rather the effect of wantonness than malice, which he himself would have laughed to see take place upon any other person, he determined

studies which had not at all contributed to sweeten and unbend the natural sourness and severity of his complexion.

This gentleman being destined to the charge of superintending Perry's education, every thing was prepared for their departure; and Tom Pipes, in consequence of his own petition, put into livery, and appointed foot

man to the young squire. But before they
set out, the commodore paid the compliment
of communicating his design to Mr Pickle,
who approved of the plan, though he durst
not venture to see the boy; so much was he
intimidated by the remonstrances of his wife,
whose adversion to her first-born became
every day more inveterate and unaccountable.
This unnatural caprice seemed to be sup-
ported by a consideration which (one would
imagine) might have rather vanquished her
disgust. Her second son Gam, who was
now in the fourth year of his age, had been
rickety from the cradle, and as remarkably
unpromising in appearance as Perry was
agreeable in his person. As the deformity
increased, the mother's fondness was aug-
mented, and the virulence of her hate against
the other son seemed to prevail in the same
proportion.

little affected with this consideration, he turned his eye ruefully upon the lieutenant, saying, in a piteous tone.-"What! leave me at last, Jack, after we have weathered so many hard gales together? Damn my limbs! I thought you had been more of an honest heart: I looked upon you as my foremast, and Tom Pipes as my mizen; now he is carried away, if so be as you go too, my standing rigging being decayed, d'ye see, the first squall will bring me by the board. Damn ye, if in case I have given offence, can't you speak above board, and I shall make you amends."

Jack being ashamed to own the true situation of his thoughts, after some hesitation, answered with perplexity and incoherence,

No, demme! that an't the case neither; to be sure you always used me in an officerlike manner, that I must own, to give the devil his due, as the saying is; but for all that, this here is the case, I have some thoughts of going to school myself to learn your Latin lingo; for, as the saying is, better late mend than never; and I am informed as how one can get more for the money here than any where else."

Far from allowing Perry the common privileges of a child, she would not suffer him to approach his father's house, expressed uneasiness whenever his name happened to be mentioned, sickened at his praise, and in all respects behaved like a most rancorous step-mother. Though she no longer retained that ridiculous notion of his being an impostor, she still continued to abhor him, as if she really believed him to be such; and when any person desired to know the cause of her surprising dislike, she always lost her temper, and peevishly replied, that she had reasons of her own, which she was not obliged to declare; nay, so much was she affected by this vitious partiality, that she broke off all commerce with her sister-in-law and the commo-ed upon him to return to the garrison, after dore, because they favoured the poor child with their countenance and protection.

Her malice, however, was frustrated by the love and generosity of Trunnion, who, having adopted him as his own son, equipped him accordingly, and carried him and his governor in his own coach to the place of destination, where they were settled on a very genteel footing, and every thing regulated according to their desires.

Mrs Trunnion behaved with great decency at the departure of her nephew, to whom, with a great many pious advices and injunctions to behave with submission and reverence towards his tutor, she presented a diamond ring of small value, and a gold medal, as tokens of her affection and esteem. As for the lieutenant, he accompanied them in the coach; and such was the friendship he had contracted for Perry, that, when the commodore proposed to return, after having accomplished the intent of his journey, Jack absolutely refused to attend him, and signified his resolution to stay where he was.

Trunnion was the more startled at this declaration, as Hatchway was become so necessary to him in almost all the purposes of his life, that he foresaw he should not be able to exist without his company. Not a

In vain did Trunnion endeavour to convince him of the folly of going to school at his years, by representing that the boys would make game of him, and that he would become a laughing-stock to all the world; he persisted in his resolution to stay, and the commodore was fain to have recourse to the medition of Pipes and Perry, who employed their influence with Jack, and at last prevail

Trunnion had promised he should be at liberty to visit them once a month. This stipulation being settled, he and his friend took leave of the pupil, governor, and attendant, and next morning set out for their habitation, which they reached in safety that same night.

Such was Hatchway's reluctance to leave Peregrine, that he is said, for the first time in his life, to have looked misty at parting; certain I am, that on the road homewards, after a long pause of silence, which the commodore never dreamed of interrupting, he exclaimed all of a sudden, "I'll be damn'd if the dog han't given me some stuff to make me love him." Indeed there was something congenial in the disposition of these two friends, which never failed to manifest itself in the sequel, howsoever different their education, circumstances, and connexions happened to be.

CHAPTER XVI.

Peregrine distinguishes himself among his school-fellows, exposes his tutor, and attracts the particular notice of the master.

THUs left to the prosecution of his studies,