; and, advancing to him, took him by the hand
before he had any intimation of his approach. The lieutenant, thus
saluted by a stranger, stared at him in silent astonishment, till he
recollected his features, which were no sooner known, than, dashing
his pipe upon the pavement, he exclaimed, "Smite my cross-trees! th'art
welcome to port;" and hugged him in his arms with great affection. He
then, by a cordial squeeze, expressed his satisfaction at seeing his old
shipmate, Tom, who, applying his whistle to his mouth, the whole castle
echoed with his performance.

The servants, hearing the well-known sound, poured out in a tumult of
joy; and, understanding that their young master was returned, raised
such a peal of acclamation, as astonished the commodore and his lady,
and inspired Julia with such an interesting presage, that her heart
began to throb with violence. Running out in the hurry and perturbation
of her hope, she was so much overwhelmed at sight of her brother, that
she actually fainted in his arms. But from this trance she soon awaked;
and Peregrine, having testified his pleasure and affection, went
upstairs, and presented himself before his godfather and aunt. Mrs.
Trunnion rose and received him with a gracious embrace, blessing God for
his happy return from a land of impiety and vice, in which she hoped his
morals had not been corrupted, nor his principles of religion altered or
impaired. The old gentleman being confined to his chair, was struck dumb
with pleasure at his appearance; and, having made divers ineffectual
efforts to get up, at length discharged a volley of curses against his
own limbs, and held out his hand to his godson, who kissed it with great
respect.

After he had finished his apostrophe to the gout, which was the daily
and hourly subject of his execrations, "Well, my lad," said he, "I
care not how soon I go to the bottom, now I behold thee safe in harbour
again; and yet I tell a d--d lie; I would I could keep afloat until I
should see a lusty boy of thy begetting. Odds my timbers! I love thee
so well, that I believe thou art the spawn of my own body; though I can
give no account of thy being put upon the stocks." Then, turning his
eyes upon Pipes, who by this time had penetrated into his apartment, and
addressed him with the usual salutation of "What cheer?" "Ahey," cried
he, "are you there, you herring-faced son of a sea-calf? What a slippery
trick you played your old commander! But come, y