hed, the antagonists reached the street; and
Peregrine drawing, was surprised to see the captain advance against
him with a long knife, which he preferred to the sword that hung by his
side. The youth, confounded at this preposterous behaviour, desired him,
in the French tongue, to lay aside that vulgar implement, and approach
like a gentleman. But the Hollander, who neither understood the
proposal, nor would have complied with this demand, had he been made
acquainted with his meaning, rushed forward like a desperado, before his
adversary could put himself on his guard; and if the young gentleman had
not been endued with surprising agility, his nose would have fallen a
sacrifice to the fury of the assailant. Finding himself in such imminent
jeopardy, he leaped to one side, and the Dutchman passing him, in the
force of his career, he with one nimble kick made such application to
his enemy's heels, that he flew like lightning into the canal, where he
had almost perished by pitching upon one of the posts with which it is
faced.

Peregrine having performed this exploit, did not stay for the captain's
coming on shore, but retreated with all despatch, by the advice of his
conductor; and next day embarked, with his companions, in the skuyt,
for Haerlem, where they dined; and in the evening arrived at the ancient
city of Leyden, where they met with some English students, who
treated them with great hospitality. Not but that the harmony of the
conversation was that same night interrupted by a dispute that arose
between one of those young gentlemen and the physician, about the
cold and hot methods of prescription in the gout and rheumatism; and
proceeded to such a degree of mutual reviling, that Pickle, ashamed
and incensed at his fellow-traveller's want of urbanity, espoused the
other's cause, and openly rebuked him for his unmannerly petulance,
which, he said, rendered him unfit for the purposes, and unworthy of the
benefit, of society. This unexpected declaration overwhelmed the doctor
with amazement and confusion; he was instantaneously deprived of his
speech, and, during the remaining part of the party, sat in silent
mortification. In all probability, he deliberated with himself, whether
or not he should expostulate with the young gentleman on the freedom he
had taken with his character in a company of strangers; but as he knew
he had not a Pallet to deal with, he very prudently suppressed that
suggestion, and, in secret, ch