ircumstance of Tom's report, thanked him for
his warning, and, after having reprimanded him for his misbehaviour at
Lisle, assured him that it should be his own fault if ever they should
part again. He then deliberated with himself whether or not he should
retort the purpose upon his adversary; but when he considered that
Hornbeck was not the aggressor, and made that unhappy husband's case his
own, he could not help quitting his intention of revenge; though, in his
opinion, it ought to have been executed in a more honourable manner, and
therefore he determined to chastise him for his want of spirit. Nothing
surely can be more insolent and unjust than this determination, which
induced him to punish a person for his want of courage to redress the
injury which he himself had done to his reputation and peace; and yet
this barbarity of decision is authorised by the opinion and practice of
mankind.

With these sentiments he returned to the inn, and, putting a pair of
pistols in his pocket, ordered his valet-de-chambre and Pipes to follow
him at a small distance, so as that they should be within call in
case of necessity, and then posted himself within thirty yards of his
dulcinea's door. There he had not been above half an hour, when he
perceived four men take their station on the other side, with a view, as
he guessed, to watch for his going in, that he might be taken unaware.
But when they had tarried a considerable time in that corner, without
reaping the fruits of their expectation, their leader, persuaded that
the gallant had gained admittance by some secret means, approached the
door with his followers, who, according to the instructions they had
received, no sooner saw it opened, than they rushed in, leaving their
employer in the street, where he thought his person would be least
endangered. Our adventurer, seeing him all alone, advanced with speed,
and clapping a pistol to his breast, commanded him to follow his
footsteps without noise, on pain of immediate death.

Terrified at this sudden apparition, Hornbeck obeyed in silence; and, in
a few minutes, they arrived at the quay, where Pickle, halting, gave
him to understand that he was no stranger to his villainous design; told
him, that if he conceived himself injured by any circumstance of his
conduct, he would now give him an opportunity of resenting the wrong in
a manner becoming a man of honour. "You have a sword about you," said
he; "or, if you don't choose to pu