in order to increase the noise;
snatched an instrument from one of the musicians, and broke it over the
head of him who represented Ulysses; and, running to the consular bench,
mistook a couple of senators for the sheep which were to be slain. The
audience applauded him to the skies: but so conscious was the mimic of
his own extravagance when he recovered the use of his reason, that he
actually fell sick with mortification; and being afterwards desired to
re-act the piece, flatly refused to appear in any such character, saying
that the shortest follies were the best, and that it was sufficient for
him to have been a madman once in his life.

CHAPTER LII.

An Adventure happens to Pipes, in consequence of which he is dismissed
from Peregrine's Service--The whole Company set out for Ghent, in the
Diligence--Our Hero is captivated by a Lady in that Carriage--Interests
her spiritual Director in his behalf.

The doctor being fairly engaged on the subject of the ancients, would
have proceeded the Lord knows how far, without hesitation, had not he
been interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Jolter, who, in great confusion,
told them that Pipes, having affronted a soldier, was then surrounded
in the street, and certainly would be put to death if some person of
authority did not immediately interpose in his behalf.

Peregrine no sooner learned the danger of his trusty squire, than,
snatching up his sword, he ran down-stairs, and was followed by the
chevalier, entreating him to leave the affair to his management. Within
ten yards of the door they found Tom, with his back to a wall, defending
himself with a mopstick against the assault of three or four soldiers,
who, at sight of the Maltese cross, desisted from the attack, and were
taken into custody by order of the knight. One of the aggressors, being
an Irishman, begged to be heard with great importunity before he should
be sent to the guard; and, by the mediation of Pickle, was accordingly
brought into the hotel with his companions, all three bearing upon
their heads and faces evident marks of their adversary's prowess and
dexterity. The spokesman, being confronted with Pipes, informed the
company that, having by accident met with Mr. Pipes, whom he considered
as his countryman, though fortune had disposed of them in different
services, he invited him to drink a glass of wine, and accordingly
carried him to a cabaret, where he introduced him to his comrades;
but in the