d, "Good God! am I or am I
not awake?"--"Why look ye, cousin Pickle," replied the lieutenant, "that
is a question which the deep sea-line of my understanding is not long
enough to sound; but howsomever, thof I can't trust to the observation
I have taken, it shall go hard but I will fall upon a way to guess
whereabouts we are." So saying, he lifted up a pitcher full of cold
water, that stood behind the outward door, and discharged it in the face
of Peregrine without ceremony or hesitation. This remedy produced the
desired effect. Unpalatable as it was, the young gentleman no sooner
recovered his breath, which was endangered by such a sudden application,
than he thanked his friend Jack for the seasonable operation he had
performed. Having no longer any just reason to doubt the reality of
what appeared so convincingly to his senses, he shifted himself on the
instant, not without hurry and trepidation; and, putting on his morning
dress, sallied forth to the Bare, in order to deliberate with himself on
the important intelligence he had received.

Hatchway, not yet fully convinced of his sanity, and curious to know the
purport of the letter, which had affected him in such an extraordinary
manner, carefully attended his footsteps in this excursion, in hope
of being favoured with his confidence, in the course of their
perambulation. Our hero no sooner appeared at the street door, than he
was saluted by the messenger, who having posted himself in the way for
that purpose, "God bless your noble honour, Squire Pickle," cried he,
"and give you joy of succeeding to your father's estate." These words
had scarce proceeded from his mouth, when the lieutenant, hopping
eagerly towards the countryman, squeezed his hand with great affection,
and asked if the old gentleman had actually taken his departure. "Ay,
Master Hatchway," replied the other, "in such a woundy haste, that he
forgot to make a will."--"Body of me!" exclaimed the seaman; "these are
the best tidings I have ever heard since I first went to sea. Here, my
lad, take my purse, and stow thyself chuck full of the best liquor
in the land." So saying, he tipped the peasant with ten pieces, and
immediately the whole place echoed the sound of Tom's instrument.
Peregrine, repairing to the walk, communicated the billet to his honest
friend, who at his desire went forthwith to the lodgings of Captain
Gauntlet, and returned in less than an hour with that gentleman, who, I
need not say, w