might be allowed to give immediate attendance upon his dear master,
from whom he could not bear the thoughts of a second parting. His
entreaties were reinforced by the intercession of his two friends, in
consequence of which the Swiss was permitted to follow them at his own
leisure, while they set forward after a slight repast, and reached the
place of their destination before ten o'clock at night.

Peregrine, instead of alighting at the garrison, rode straightway to
his father's house; and no person appearing to receive him, not even a
servant to take care of his chaise, he dismounted without assistance.
Being followed by his two friends, he advanced into the hall, where
perceiving a bell-rope, he made immediate application to it in such a
manner as brought a couple of footmen into his presence. After having
reprimanded them, with a stern look, for their neglect in point of
attendance, he commanded them to show him into an apartment; and as they
seemed unwilling to yield obedience to his orders, asked if they did not
belong to the family?

One of them, who took upon himself the office of spokesman, replied with
a sullen air, that they had been in the service of old Mr. Pickle, and
now that he was dead, thought themselves bound to obey nobody but their
lady, and her son Mr. Gamaliel. This declaration had scarce proceeded
from his mouth, when our hero gave them to understand, that since
they were not disposed to own any other master, they must change
their quarters immediately. He ordered them to decamp without further
preparation; and, as they still continued restive, they were kicked
out of doors by the captain and his friend Hatchway. Squire Gam, who
overheard everything that passed, and was now more than ever inflamed
with that rancour which he had sucked with his mother's milk, flew to
the assistance of his adherents, with a pistol in each hand, bellowing
"Thieves! Thieves!" with great vociferation, as if he had mistaken the
business of the strangers, and actually believed himself in danger of
being robbed. Under this pretence he discharged a piece at his brother,
who luckily escaped the shot, closed with him in a moment, and, wresting
the other pistol from his grip, turned him out into the courtyard, to
the consolation of his two dependents.

By this time, Pipes and the two postilions had taken possession of
the stables, without being opposed by the coachman and his deputy, who
quietly submitted to the authority