world. I thought I stood upon the forecastle, and saw a parcel of
carrion crows foul of a dead shark: that floated alongside, and the
devil perching upon our spritsail yard, in the likeness of a blue
bear--who, d'ye see jumped overboard upon the carcass and carried
it to the bottom in his claws." "Out upon thee, reprobate" cries
the parson "out upon thee, blasphemous wretch! Dost thou think his
honour's soul is in the possession of Satan?" The clamour immediately
arose, and my poor uncle, being, shouldered from one corner of
the room to the other, was obliged to lug out in his own defence,
and swear he would turn out for no man, till such time as he knew
who had the title to send him adrift. "None of your tricks upon
travellers," said he; "mayhap old Bluff has left my kinsman here
his heir: if he has, it will be the better for his miserable soul.
Odds bob! I'd desire no better news. I'd soon make him a clear
shin, I warrant you." To avoid any further disturbance, one of my
grandfather's executors, who was present, assured Mr. Bowling, that
his nephew should have all manner of justice; that a day should
be appointed after the funeral for examining the papers of the
deceased, in presence of all his relations; till which time every
desk and cabinet in the house should remain close sealed; and
that he was very welcome to be witness to this ceremony, which was
immediately performed to his satisfaction. In the meantime, orders
were given to provide mourning for all the relations, in which
number I was included; but my uncle would not suffer me to accept
of it, until I should be assured whether or no I had reason to
honour his memory so far. During this interval, the conjectures of
people, with regard to the old gentleman's will, were various: as
it was well known, he had, besides his landed estate, which was
worth (pounds)700 per annum, six or seven thousand pounds at interest,
some imagined that the whole real estate (which he had greatly