houghts began to flow
deliberately in their ancient channel. All day long he regaled his
imagination with plans of connubial happiness, formed on the possession
of the incomparable Aurelia; determined to wait with patience, until the
law should supersede the authority of her guardian, rather than adopt any
violent expedient which might hazard the interest of his passion.

He had for some time travelled in the turnpike road, when his reverie was
suddenly interrupted by a confused noise; and when he lifted up his eyes
he beheld at a little distance a rabble of men and women, variously armed
with flails, pitchforks, poles, and muskets, acting offensively against a
strange figure on horseback, who, with a kind of lance, laid about him
with incredible fury. Our adventurer was not so totally abandoned by the
spirit of chivalry, to see without emotion a single knight in danger of
being overpowered by such a multitude of adversaries. Without staying to
put on his helmet, he ordered Crabshaw to follow him in the charge
against those plebeians. Then couching his lance, and giving Bronzomarte
the spur, he began his career with such impetuosity as overturned all
that happened to be in his way; and intimidated the rabble to such a
degree, that they retired before him like a flock of sheep, the greater
part of them believing he was the devil in propria persona. He came in
the very nick of time to save the life of the other errant, against whom
three loaded muskets were actually levelled, at the very instant that our
adventurer began his charge. The unknown knight was so sensible of the
seasonable interposition, that, riding up to our hero, "Brother," said
he, "this is the second time you have holp me off, when I was bump
ashore.--Bess Mizzen, I must say, is no more than a leaky bum-boat, in
comparison of the glorious galley you want to man. I desire that
henceforth we may cruise in the same latitudes, brother; and I'll be
d--ned if I don't stand by you as long as I have a stick standing, or can
carry a rag of canvas."

By this address our knight recognised the novice Captain Crowe, who had
found means to accommodate himself with a very strange suit of armour.
By way of helmet, he wore one of the caps used by the light horse, with
straps buckled under his chin, and contrived in such a manner as to
conceal his whole visage, except the eyes. Instead of cuirass, mail,
greaves, and other pieces of complete armour, he was cased in