d this piece of business, my mind was a good deal
composed; and as I had met with so much civility from the stranger, I
desired further acquaintance with him, fully resolved, however, not to
be deceived by him so much to my prejudice as I had been by the beau. He
agreed to dine with me at the cook's shop which I frequented; and on our
way thither carried me to 'Change, where I was in hopes of finding
Mr. Jackson (for that was the name of the person who had broke his
appointment), I sought him there to no purpose, and on our way towards
the other end of the town imparted to my companion his behaviour towards
me; upon which he gave me to understand, that he was no stranger to the
name of Bean Jackson (so he was called at the Navy Office), although he
did not know him personally; that he had the character of a good-natured
careless fellow, who made no scruple of borrowing from any that would
lend; that most people who knew him believed he had a good principle at
bottom, but his extravagance was such, he would probably never have
it in his power to manifest the honesty of his intention. This made me
sweat for my five shillings, which I nevertheless did not altogether
despair of recovering, provided I could find out the debtor.

This young man likewise added another circumstance of Squire Jackson's
history, which was, that being destitute of all means to equip himself
for sea, when he received his last warrant, he had been recommended to a
person who lent him a little money, after he had signed a will entitling
that person to lift his wages when they should become due, as also to
inherit his effects in case of his death. That he was still under the
tutorage and direction of that gentleman, who advanced him small sums
from time to time upon this security, at the rate of fifty per cent. But
at present his credit was very low, because his funds would do little
more than pay what he had already received, this moderate interest
included. After the stranger (whose name was Thompson) had entertained
me with this account of Jackson, he informed me that he himself had
passed for third mate of a third-rate, about four months ago; since
which time he had constantly attended at the Navy Office, in hope of
a warrant, having been assured from the beginning, both by a Scotch
member, and one of the commissioners to whom the member recommended
him, that he should be put into the first vacancy; notwithstanding which
promise, he had the mortifi