Peregrine made no other reply to this declaration than by a contemptuous
smile, and rose from his seat in order to retire; upon which the
lieutenant started up, and, posting himself by the door, protested,
with some menacing gestures, that he would not suffer him to run a-head
neither. The other, incensed at his presumption in attempting to detain
him by force, tripped up his wooden leg, and laid him on his back in a
moment; then walked deliberately towards the park, in order to indulge
his reflection, which at that time teemed with disagreeable thoughts. He
had not proceeded two hundred steps when he heard something blowing and
stamping behind him; and, looking back, perceived the lieutenant at his
heels, with rage and indignation in his countenance. This exasperated
seaman, impatient of the affront he had received, and forgetting all the
circumstances of their former intimacy, advanced with great eagerness
to his old friend, saying, "Look ye, brother, you're a saucy boy, and if
you was at sea, I would have your backside brought to the davit for your
disobedience; but as we are on shore, you and I must crack a pistol at
one another: here is a brace; you shall take which you please."

Peregrine, upon recollection, was sorry for having been laid under the
necessity of disobliging honest Jack, and very frankly asked his pardon
for what he had done. But this condescension was misinterpreted by the
other, who refused any other satisfaction but that which an officer
ought to claim; and, with some irreverent expressions, asked if Perry
was afraid of his bacon? The youth, inflamed at this unjust insinuation,
darted a ferocious look at the challenger, told him he had paid but too
much regard to his infirmities, and bid him walk forward to the park,
where he would soon convince him of his error, if he thought his
concession proceeded from fear.

About this time, they were overtaken by Pipes, who, having heard the
lieutenant's fall and seen him pocket his pistols, suspected there was
a quarrel in the case, and followed him with a view of protecting
his master. Peregrine, seeing him arrive, and guessing his intention,
assumed an air of serenity; and pretending that he had left his
handkerchief at the inn, ordered his man to go thither and fetch it to
him in the park, where he would find them at his return. This command
was twice repeated before Tom would take any other notice of the
message, except by shaking his head; but being u