he had a particular regard for me and my interests. The attachment
of Strap flowed from a voluntary, disinterested inclination, which
had manifested itself on many occasions in my behalf, he having once
rendered me the same service that I had rendered Gawky, by saving
my life at the risk of his own; and often fathered offences that I
had committed, for which he suffered severely, rather than I should
feel the weight of the punishment. These two champions were the
more willing to engage in this enterprise, because they intended
to leave the school next day, as well as I; the first being ordered
by his father to return into the country, and the other being bound
apprentice to his barber, at a market town not far off.

In the meantime, my uncle, being informed of my master's behaviour
to me, was enraged at his insolence, and vowed revenge so heartily
that I could not refrain from telling him the scheme I had concerted,
while he heard with great satisfaction, at every sentence squirting
out a mouthful of spittle, tinctured with tobacco, of which he
constantly chewed a large quid. At last, pulling up his breeches,
he cried, "No, no, z--ds! that won't do neither; howsoever, 'tis
a bold undertaking, my lad, that I must say, i'faith; but lookee,
lookee, how do you propose to get clear off--won't the enemy give
chase, my boy?--ay, ay, that he will, I warrant, and alarm the whole
coast; ah! God help thee, more sail than ballast, Rory. Let me alone
for that--leave the whole to me. I'll show him the foretopsail,
I will. If so be your shipmates are jolly boys, and won't flinch,
you shall see, yon shall see; egad, I'll play him such a salt-water
trick I'll bring him to the gangway. and anoint him with a
cat-and-nine-tails; he shall have a round dozen doubled, my lad, he
shall--and be left lashed to his meditations." We were very proud
of our associate, who immediately went to work, and prepared the