captain, which I did fairly on the beach, at Cape
Tiberoon, in the Island of Hispaniola; having received
his fire and returned it, which went through his body:
and I would serve the best man so that ever stepped
between stem and stern, if so be that he struck me, as
Captain Oakum did. I am (thank God) safe among the
French, who are very civil, thof I don't understand
their lingo; and I hope to be restored in a little time,
for all the great friends and parliamentary interest of
the captain, for I have sent over to my landlord in Deal
an account of the whole affair, with our bearings and
distances while we were engaged, whereby I have desired
him to lay it before his majesty, who (God bless him)
will not suffer an honest tar to be wronged. My love to
your spouse, and am your loving friend and servant to
command, while
'Thomas Bowling,'


'To Roderick Random

'Dear Rory,
'Don't be grieved at my misfortune, but mind your book,
my lad. I have got no money to send you, but what of
that? Mr. Potion will take care of you for the love he
bears to me, and let you want for nothing; and it shall
go hard but I will see him one day repaid. No more at
present, but rests
'Your dutiful uncle
'and servant, till death,