et, whom he had
not heard of for a long time.

The old gentleman, looking steadfastly in his face, "Ah! D--n your
cunning!" said he, "I find the anchor holds fast! I did suppose as how
you would have slipt your cable, and changed your berth; but, I see,
when a young fellow is once brought up by a pretty wench, he may man his
capstans and viol block, if he wool; but he'll as soon heave up the Pike
of Teneriffe, as bring his anchor aweigh! Odds heartlikins! had I known
the young woman was Ned Gauntlet's daughter, I shouldn't have thrown out
signal for leaving off chase."

Our adventurer was not a little surprised to hear the commodore talk
in this style; and immediately conjectured that his friend Godfrey
had informed him of the whole affair. Instead of listening to this
approbation of his flame, with those transports of joy which he would
have felt, had he retained his former sentiments, he was chagrined at
Trunnion's declaration, and offended at the presumption of the young
soldier, in presuming to disclose the secret with which he had entrusted
him. Reddening with these reflections, he assured the commodore that he
never had serious thoughts of matrimony; so that if any person had told
him he was under any engagement of that kind, he had abused his ear; for
he protested that he would never contract such attachments without his
knowledge and express permission.

Trunnion commended him for his prudent resolution, and observed, that,
though no person mentioned to him what promises had passed betwixt him
and his sweetheart, it was very plain that he had made love to her, and
therefore it was to be supposed that his intentions were honourable; for
he could not believe he was such a rogue in his heart, as to endeavour
to debauch the daughter of a brave officer, who had served his country
with credit and reputation. Notwithstanding this remonstrance, which
Pickle imputed to the commodore's ignorance of the world, he set out for
the habitation of Mrs. Gauntlet, with the unjustifiable sentiments of a
man of pleasure, who sacrifices every consideration to the desire of his
ruling appetite; and, as Winchester lay in his way, resolved to visit
some of his friends who lived in that place. It was in the house of one
of these that he was informed of Emilia's being then in town with her
mother; upon which he excused himself from staying to drink tea, and
immediately repaired to their lodgings, according to the directions he
had rec