the occasion, the exciseman of the parish, a fellow of great
impudence and some humour, in whom Hatchway could confide, undertook to
transcribe and deliver it with his own hand, and also personate the
man in whose favour it was feigned to be written. He, accordingly, one
morning arrived on horseback at the garrison, two hours at least
before Trunnion used to get up, and gave Pipes, who admitted him, to
understand, that he had a letter from his master, which he was ordered
to deliver to none but the commodore himself. This message was no sooner
communicated, than the indignant chief (who had been waked for the
purpose) began to curse the messenger for breaking his rest, and swore
he would not budge till his usual time of turning out. This resolution
being conveyed to the stranger, he desired the carrier to go back and
tell him, he had such joyful tidings to impart, that he was sure the
commodore would think himself amply rewarded for his trouble, even if he
had been raised from the grave to receive them.

This assurance, flattering as it was, would not have been powerful
enough to persuade him, had it not been assisted with the exhortations
of his spouse, which never failed to influence his conduct. He therefore
crept out of bed, though not without great repugnance; and wrapping
himself in his morning gown, was supported down-stairs, rubbing his eye,
yawning fearfully, and grumbling in the way. As soon as he popped his
head into the parlour, the supposed stranger made divers awkward bows,
and with a grinning aspect accosted him in these words: "Your most
humble servant, most noble commodore! I hope you are in good health; you
look pure and hearty; and if it was not for that misfortune of your eye,
one would not desire to see a more pleasant countenance in a summer's
day. Sure as I am a living soul, one would take you to be on this side
of threescore. Lord help us, I should have known you to be a Trunnion,
if I had met with one in the midst of Salisbury Plain, as the saying
is."

The commodore, who was not at all in the humour of relishing such an
impertinent preamble, interrupted him in this place, saying, with a
peevish accent, "Pshaw! pshaw! brother, there's no occasion to bowse out
so much unnecessary gun; if you can't bring your discourse to bear on
the right subject, you had much better clap a stopper on your tongue,
and bring yourself up, d'ye see; I was told you had something to
deliver."--"Deliver!" cried the w