ost him Twenty-five Guineas. The little Brute
was never satisfied; and when I remembered the Life I had led with him,
despite abundant Victuals, good Clothes, and decent Wages, I confess
that I felt half-inclined to pitch him over the Taffrail, and make an
End of him, for good and all.

The villanous Tub which the Rascals who manned it called a Yatch was not
Seaworthy, wouldn't answer her Helm, and floundered about in the Trough
of the Sea for a day and a half; and even then we did not make Dover,
but were obliged to beat up for Ramsgate. We had been fools enough to
pay the Fare beforehand; and these Channel Pirates were unconscionable
enough to demand Ten Guineas more, swearing that they would have us up
before the Mayor--who, I believe, was in league with 'em--if we did not
disburse. Then the Master of the Port came upon us for Dues and Light
Tolls; and a Revenue Pink boarded us, the Crew getting Half-drunk at our
Expense, under pretence of searching for contraband, and sticking to us
till we had given the Midshipman a guinea, and another guinea to the
Crew, to drink our Healths.

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.

OF CERTAIN TICKLISH UPS AND DOWNS IN MY LIFE:
AMONGST OTHERS OF MY BEING PRESSED FOR SERVICE IN
THE FLEET.

THE best of Friends, says the Proverb, must part, and so must the worst,
or the most indifferent of companions. By this time, I apprehend,--that
is to say, the year 1728, Messieurs Pinchin, Hodge, and Dangerous had
had quite enough of each other's company, and 'twas ripe Time for 'em to
Part. Not but what there were some difficulties in the way. 'Twas not to
be denied that my little Master was a parcel curmudgeon, very vain and
conceited, very difficult of management in his Everlasting Tempers, and
a trifle Mad, besides; but his service--apart from the inconvenience of
bearing with a tetchy, half Lunatic Ape of Quality, was light and easy;
the victuals were abundant and the Wages were comfortable. There must
be two parties to make a quarrel, and when Master and servant propose to
part, there should be a perfect agreement between them as to the manner
of their going asunder. A Hundred times, vexed by the follies and
exactions of the little man, I had sworn that I would doff his livery,
and have nothing more to do with him; but then came the Reflection of
the certain Bite and Sup, and I withheld my abandonment of Service. It
may be that the Chaplain, Mr. Hodge, was very much