ered to submit
my cause to the examination of any justice in Westminster; but they knew
themselves too well to put their characters on that issue, and finding
that I was not to be intimidated into any concession, dropped their
plea, and made way for me to withdraw. I would not, however, stir from
the table until the Israelite had retracted what he had said to my
disadvantage, and asked pardon before the whole assembly.

As I marched out with my prize, I happened to tread on the toes of a
tall raw-boned fellow, with a hooked nose, fierce eyes, black thick
eyebrows, a pigtail wig of the same colour, and a formidable hat pulled
over his forehead, who stood gnawing his fingers in the crowd, and he
sooner felt the application of my shoe heel, than he roared out in a
tremendous voice, "Blood and wounds! you son of a whore, what's that
for?" I asked pardon with a great deal of submission, and protested I
had no intention of hurting him; but the more I humbled myself the more
he stormed, and insisted on gentlemanly satisfaction, at the same time
provoking me with scandalous names that I could not put up with; so that
I gave loose to my passion, returned his Billingsgate, and challenged
him down to the piazzas. His indignation cooling as mine warmed, he
refused my invitation, saying he would choose his own time, and returned
towards the table muttering threats, which I neither dreaded nor
distinctly heard; but, descending with great deliberation, received my
sword from the door-keeper, whom I gratified with a guinea, according to
the custom of the place, and went home in a rapture of joy.

My faithful valet, who had set up all night in the utmost uneasiness on
my account, let me in with his face beslubbered with tears, and followed
me to my chamber, where he stood silent like a condemned criminal, in
expectation of hearing that every shilling was spent, I guessed the
situation of his thoughts, and, assuming a sullen look, bade him fetch
me some water to wash. He replied, without lifting his eyes from the
ground, "In my simple conjecture, you have more occasion for rest, not
having (I suppose) slept these four-and-twenty hours." "Bring me
some water!" said I, in a peremptory tone; upon which he sneaked away
shrugging his shoulders. Before he returned, I had spread my whole stock
on the table in the most ostentatious manner; so that, when it first
saluted his view, he stood like one entranced; and, having rubbed his
eyes more tha