of his
good luck. Godfrey, hearing the description of the loser, immediately
recognized the person, whom he had known at Tunbridge; and, assuring
Pickle that he was a sharper of the first water, cautioned him against
any further connection with such a dangerous companion, who, he
affirmed, had suffered him to win a small sum, that he might be
encouraged to lose a much greater sum upon some other occasion.

Our young gentleman treasured up this advice; and though he did not
scruple to give the gamester an opportunity of retrieving his loss, when
he next day demanded his revenge, he absolutely refused to proceed
after he had refunded his winning. The other, who considered him as
a hot-headed unthinking youth, endeavoured to inflame his pride to a
continuance of the game, by treating his skill with scorn and contempt;
and, among other sarcastic expressions, advised him to go to school
again, before he pretended to engage with masters of the art. Our hero,
incensed at his arrogance, replied with great warmth, that he knew
himself sufficiently qualified for playing with men of honour, who deal
upon the square, and hoped he should always deem it infamous either
to learn or practise the tricks of a professed gamester. "Blood and
thunder! meaning me, sir?" cried this artist, raising his voice, and
curling his visage into a most intimidating frown. "Zounds! I'll cut the
throat of any scoundrel who has the presumption to suppose that I don't
play as honourably as e'er a nobleman in the kingdom: and I insist upon
an explanation from you, sir; or, by hell and brimstone! I shall expect
other sort of satisfaction." Peregrine (whose blood by this time boiled
within him) answered without hesitation, "Far from thinking your demand
unreasonable, I will immediately explain myself without reserve, and
tell you, that, upon unquestionable authority, I believe you to be an
impudent rascal and common cheat."

The Hector was so amazed and confounded at the freedom of this
declaration, which he thought no man on earth would venture to make in
his presence, that, for some minutes, he could not recollect himself;
but at length whispered a challenge in the ear of our hero, which was
accordingly accepted. When they arrived next morning upon the field, the
gamester, arming his countenance with all its terrors, advanced with a
sword of a monstrous length, and, putting himself in a posture, called
out aloud in a most terrific voice, "Draw, d--n ye, dr