n him
out of his service with disgrace. Timothy said he believed it would be
the greatest favour he could do him to turn him out of a service in which
he knew he should be rib-roasted every day, and murdered at last.

"In this situation were things at Greavesbury Hall about a month ago,
when I crossed the country to Ferrybridge, where I met my uncle.
Probably, this is the first incident of their second excursion; for the
distance between this here house and Sir Launcelot's estate does not
exceed fourscore or ninety miles."

CHAPTER SIX

IN WHICH THE READER WILL PERCEIVE THAT IN SOME CASES MADNESS IS CATCHING.

Mr. Clarke having made an end of his narrative, the surgeon thanked him
for the entertainment he had received; and Mr. Ferret shrugged up his
shoulders in silent disapprobation. As for Captain Crowe, who used at
such pauses to pour in a broadside of dismembered remarks, linked
together like chain-shot, he spoke not a syllable for some time; but,
lighting a fresh pipe at the candle, began to roll such voluminous clouds
of smoke as in an instant filled the whole apartment, and rendered
himself invisible to the whole company. Though he thus shrouded himself
from their view, he did not long remain concealed from their hearing.
They first heard a strange dissonant cackle, which the doctor knew to be
a sea-laugh, and this was followed by an eager exclamation of "Rare
pastime, strike my yards and topmasts!--I've a good mind--why shouldn't--
many a losing voyage I've--smite my taffrel but I wool"--

By this time he had relaxed so much in his fumigation, that the tip of
his nose and one eye reappeared; and as he had drawn his wig forwards, so
as to cover his whole forehead, the figure that now saluted their eyes
was much more ferocious and terrible than the fire-breathing chimera of
the ancients. Notwithstanding this dreadful appearance, there was no
indignation in his heart, but, on the contrary, an agreeable curiosity,
which he was determined to gratify.

Addressing himself to Mr. Fillet, "Pr'ythee, doctor," said he, "canst
tell, whether a man, without being rated a lord or a baron, or what d'ye
call um, d'ye see, may n't take to the highway in the way of a frolic,
d'ye see?--Adad! for my own part, brother, I'm resolved as how to cruise
a bit in the way of an arrant--if so be as I can't at once be commander,
mayhap I may be bore upon the books as a petty officer or the like, d'ye
see."

"Now, the Lord