 a large compliment of
hands, in order, d'ye see, to secure you while you are under the hatches, and
cut away your tackle, without fear or mercy. Now if so be as how you have a mind
to give him a salt eel for his supper, here am I, without hope of fee or reward,
ready to stand by you as long as my timbers will stick together; and if I expect
any recompence, may I be bound to eat oakum and drink bilge-water for life.«
    Startled at this information, Peregrine examined him upon the particulars of
his discourse with the lacquey; and when he understood that Hornbeck's
intelligence flowed from the canal of his Flemish footman, he believed every
circumstance of Tom's report, thanked him for this warning, and after having
reprimanded him for his misbehaviour at Lisle, assured him that it should be his
own fault if ever they should part again. He then deliberated with himself
whether or not he should retort the purpose upon his adversary; but, when he
considered that Hornbeck was not the aggressor, and made that unhappy husband's
case his own, he could not help acquitting his intention of revenge; though, in
his opinion, it ought to have been executed in a more honourable manner; and
therefore he determined to chastise him for his want of spirit. Nothing surely
can be more insolent and unjust than this determination, which induced him to
punish a person, for his want of courage to redress the injury which he himself
had done to his reputation and peace; and yet this barbarity of decision is
sanctioned by the opinion and practice of mankind.
    With these sentiments he returned to the inn, and putting a pair of pistols
in his pocket, ordered his valet de chambre and Pipes to follow him at a small
distance, so as that they should be within call, in case of necessity, and
posted himself within thirty yards of his Dulcinea's door. There he had not been
above half an hour, when he perceived four men take up their station on the
other side, with a view, as he guessed, to watch for his going in, that he might
be taken unaware. But when they had tarried a considerable time in that corner,
without reaping the fruits of their expectation, their leader, persuaded that
the gallant had gained admittance by some secret means, approached the door with
his followers, who, according to the instructions they had received, no sooner
saw it opened, than they rushed in, leaving their employer in the street, where
he thought his
