 towards the end of the operation, and the
meat falling down, discharged the contents of the dripping-pan upon his leg,
which was scalded in a miserable manner: and what added to their vexation, about
one o'clock, when the disappointment was most severely felt, and the misfortune
irretrievable, Peregrine ordered the prisoners to be discharged, and every
kitchen was visited by one of these quadrupeds, as if they had come on purpose
to insult the distress they had occasioned. These, and a variety of other
stratagems, practised upon the objects of ridicule, hatred and contempt,
confirmed and augmented the reputation of our adventurers, who had, by this
time, rendered themselves terrible to all sorts of delinquents of both sexes,
from the brazen-fronted gamester and female libertine, to the stale maiden that
deals in scandal and strong waters, and the puny flutterer, who seems to have
resigned all pretensions to manhood. Among those who never failed to reside at
Bath, during the season, was a certain person, who, from the most abject misery,
had by his industry and art at play, amassed about fifteen thousand pounds; and
though his character was notorious, insinuated himself so far into the favour of
what is called the best company, that very few private parties of pleasure took
place, in which he was not principally concerned. He was of a gigantic stature,
a most intrepid countenance; and his disposition, naturally over-bearing, had in
the course of his adventures and success, acquired a most intolerable degree of
insolence and vanity. By the ferocity of his features, and audacity of his
behaviour, he had obtained a reputation for the most undaunted courage, which
had been confirmed by divers adventures, in which he had humbled the most
assuming heroes of his own fraternity; so that he now reigned chief Hector of
the place, with unquestioned authority.
    With this son of fortune was Peregrine one evening engaged at play, and so
successful, that he could not help informing his friend of his good luck.
Godfrey hearing the description of the loser, immediately recognized the person,
whom he had known at Tunbridge; and assuring Pickle, that he was a sharper of
the first water, cautioned him against any future connexion with such a
dangerous companion, who (he affirmed) had suffered him to win a small sum, that
he might be encouraged to lose a much greater, upon some other occasion.
    Our young gentleman treasured up this advice; and though he did not scruple
to give the gamester an opportunity of retrieving his loss, when he next day
demanded his revenge
