during the
rest of the season.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

Peregrine arrives at the Garrison, where he receives the last
Admonitions of Commodore Trunnion, who next Day resigns his Breath, and
is buried according to his own Directions--Some Gentlemen in the Country
make a fruitless Attempt to accommodate Matters betwixt Mr. Gamaliel
Pickle and his eldest Son.

About four o'clock in the morning our hero arrived at the garrison,
where he found his generous uncle in extremity, supported in bed by
Julia on one side, and Lieutenant Hatchway on the other, while Mr.
Jolter administered spiritual consolation to his soul; and between
whiles comforted Mrs. Trunnion, who, with her maid, sat by the fire,
weeping with great decorum; the physician having just taken his last
fee, and retired, after pronouncing the fatal prognostic, in which he
anxiously wished he might be mistaken.

Though the commodore's speech was interrupted by a violent hiccup, he
still retained the use of his senses; and, when Peregrine approached,
stretched out his hand with manifest signs of satisfaction. The young
gentleman, whose heart overflowed with gratitude and affection, could
not behold such a spectacle unmoved. He endeavoured to conceal his
tenderness, which, in the wildness of his youth, and the pride of his
disposition, he considered as a derogation from his manhood; but, in
spite of all his endeavours, the tears gushed from his eyes, while he
kissed the old man's hand; and he was so utterly disconcerted by his
grief, that, when he attempted to speak, his tongue denied its office;
so that the commodore, perceiving his disorder, made a last effort of
strength, and consoled him in these words:--"Swab the spray from your
bowsprit, my good lad, and coil up your spirits. You must not let the
toplifts of your heart give way, because you see me ready to go down at
these years. Many a better man has foundered before he has made half
my way; thof I trust, by the mercy of God, I shall be sure in port in a
very few glasses, and fast moored in a most blessed riding; for my
good friend Jolter hath overhauled the journal of my sins, and, by
the observation he hath taken of the state of my soul, I hope I shall
happily conclude my voyage, and be brought up in the latitude of heaven.
Here has been a doctor that wanted to stow me chock full of physic; but,
when a man's hour is come, what signifies his taking his departure with
a 'pothecary's shop in his hold? Th