s conveyed to the main guard, where the commanding
officer, engaged by his appearance and address, treated him with all
imaginable respect. Hearing the particulars of his adventure, he assured
him that the prince would consider the whole as a tour de jeunesse, and
order him to be released without delay.

Next morning, when this gentleman gave in his report, he made such a
favourable representation of the prisoner, that our hero was on the
point of being discharged, when Hornbeck preferred a complaint, accusing
him of a purposed assassination, and praying that such punishment should
be inflicted upon him as his highness should think adequate to the
nature of the crime. The prince, perplexed with this petition, in
consequence of which he foresaw that he must disoblige a British
subject, sent for the plaintiff, of whom he had some knowledge, and, in
person, exhorted him to drop the prosecution, which would only serve to
propagate his own shame. But Hornbeck was too much incensed to listen to
any proposal of that kind, and peremptorily demanded justice against
the prisoner, whom he represented as an obscure adventurer, who had made
repeated attempts upon his honour and his life. Prince Charles told him,
that what he had advised was in the capacity of a friend; but, since he
insisted upon his acting as a magistrate, the affair should be examined,
and determined according to the dictates of justice and truth.

The petitioner being dismissed with this promise, the defendant was, in
his turn, brought before the judge, whose prepossession in his favour
was in a great measure weakened by what his antagonist had said to the
prejudice of his birth and reputation.

CHAPTER LXI.

Peregrine is released--Jolter confounded at his mysterious Conduct--A
Contest happens between the Poet and Painter, who are reconciled by the
Mediation of their Fellow-Travellers.

Our hero, understanding from some expressions which escaped the prince,
that he was considered in the light of a sharper and assassin, begged
that he might have the liberty of sending for some vouchers, that would
probably vindicate his character from the malicious aspersions of his
adversary. This permission being granted, he wrote a letter to
his governor, desiring that he would bring to him the letters of
recommendation which he had received from the British ambassador at
Paris, and such other papers as he thought conducive to evince the
importance of his situati