played a thousand pranks about
his hammock, for there is not one bed within his walls. Well, sir,
he rang his bell, called up all his servants, got lights, and made
a thorough search; but the devil a goblin was to be found. He had no
sooner turned in again, and the rest of the family gone to sleep, than
the foul fiends began their game anew. The commodore got up in the
dark, drew his cutlass, and attacked them both so manfully, that in
five minutes everything in the apartment went to pieces, The lieutenant,
hearing the noise, came to his assistance. Tom Pipes, being told what
was the matter, lighted his match, and going down to the yard, fired all
the patereroes as signals of distress. Well, to be sure the whole parish
was in a pucker: some thought the French had landed; others imagined the
commodore's house was beset by thieves; for my own part, I called up two
dragoons that are quartered upon me, and they swore, with deadly oaths,
it was a gang of smugglers engaged with a party of their regiment that
lies in the next village; and mounting their horses like lusty fellows,
rode up into the country as fast as their beasts could carry them. Ah,
master! These are hard times, when an industrious body cannot earn his
bread without fear of the gallows. Your worship's father (God rest his
soul!) was a good gentleman, and as well respected in this parish as
e'er a he that walks upon neat's leather; and if your honour should want
a small parcel of fine tea, or a few ankers of right Nantes, I'll be
bound you shall be furnished to your heart's content. But, as I was
saying, the hubbub continued till morning, when the parson being sent
for, conjured the spirits into the Red Sea; and the house has been
pretty quiet ever since. True it is, Mr. Hatchway makes a mock of the
whole affair; and told his commander, in this very blessed spot, that
the two goblins were no other than a couple of jackdaws which had fallen
down the chimney, and made a flapping with their wings up and down the
apartment. But the commodore, who is very choleric, and does not like
to be jeered, fell into a main high passion, and stormed like a perfect
hurricane, swearing that he knew a devil from a jackdaw as well as
e'er a man in the three kingdoms. He owned, indeed, that the birds were
found, but denied that they were the occasion of the uproar. For my own
part, master, I believe much may be said on both sides of the question;
though to be sure, the devil is alwa