denoted him displeased with his
intrusion, dispelled his apprehension by a second address, saying, "I
see you consider me as a friend, by your using me without ceremony."
The soldier, thus convinced of the falsehood of the information he had
received, began to imagine, that Pickle had projected the plan which was
executed by his servant; and looking upon it as a piece of unjustifiable
finesse, which might be attended with very melancholy consequences to
his sister or wife, he answered, in a supercilious tone, that Mr.
Pickle must blame himself for the interruption of his repose, which was
entirely owing to the sorry jest he had set on foot.

Pickle, who was the child of passion, and more than half mad with
impatience before this visit, hearing himself treated in such a cavalier
manner, advanced close up to Godfrey's breast, and assuming a stern, or
rather frantic countenance, "Hark ye, sir," said he, "you are mistaken
if you think I jest; I am in downright earnest, I assure you." Gauntlet,
who was not a man to be browbeaten, seeing himself thus bearded by a
person of whose conduct he had, he thought, reason to complain, put on
his military look of defiance, and, erecting his chest, replied with
an exalted voice, "Mr. Pickle, whether you were in jest or earnest,
you must give me leave to tell you, that the scheme was childish,
unseasonable, and unkind, not to give it a harsher term."--"Death, sir!"
cried our adventurer, "you trifle with my disquiet; if there is any
meaning in your insinuation, explain yourself, and then I shall know
what answer it will befit me to give."--"I came with very different
sentiments," resumed the soldier, "but since you urge me to
expostulation, and behave with such unprovoked loftiness of displeasure,
I will, without circumlocution, tax you with having committed an outrage
upon the peace of my family, in sending your fellow to alarm us with
such an abrupt account of your having done violence upon yourself."
Peregrine, confounded at this imputation, stood silent, with a most
savage aspect of surprise, eager to know the circumstance to which
his accuser alluded, and incensed to find it beyond the sphere of his
comprehension.

While these two irritated friends stood fronting each other with mutual
indignation in their eyes and attitudes, they were joined by Pipes, who,
without taking the least notice of the situation in which he found them,
told his master, that he might up with the top-gallant