
time detected Perry in a new plot, and by dint of a little chastisement, and a
great many threats, extorted from him a confession of all the contrivances in
which he had been concerned. The commodore was thunderstruck at the discovery,
and so much incensed against Hatchway for the part he had acted in the whole,
that he deliberated with himself, whether he should demand satisfaction with
sword and pistol, or dismiss him from the garison, and renounce all friendship
with him at once. But he had been so long accustomed to Jack's company, that he
could not live without him; and upon more cool reflection, perceiving that what
he had done was rather the effect of wantonness than malice, which he himself
would have laughed to see take place upon any other person, he determined to
devour his chagrin, and extend his forgiveness even to Pipes, whom in the first
sally of his passion he had looked upon in a more criminal light than that of a
simple mutineer. This determination was seconded by another, which he thought
absolutely necessary for his own repose, and in which his own interest and that
of his nephew concurred.
    Peregrine, who was now turned of twelve, had made such advances under the
instruction of Jennings, that he often disputed upon grammar, and was sometimes
thought to have the better in his contests with the parish-priest, who,
notwithstanding this acknowledged superiority of his antagonist, did great
justice to his genius, which he assured Mr. Trunnion would be lost for want of
cultivation, if the boy was not immediately sent to prosecute his studies at
some proper seminary of learning.
    This maxim had more than once been inculcated upon the commodore by Mrs.
Trunnion, who, over and above the deference she paid to the parson's opinion,
had a reason of her own for wishing to see the house clear of Peregrine, at
whose prying disposition she began to be very uneasy. Induced by these motives,
which were joined by the sollicitation of the youth himself, who ardently longed
to see a little more of the world, his uncle determined to send him forthwith to
Winchester, under the immediate care and inspection of a governor, to whom he
allowed a very handsome appointment for that purpose. This gentleman, whose name
was Mr. Jacob Jolter, had been schoolfellow with the parson of the parish, who
recommended him to Mrs. Trunnion as a person of great worth and learning, in
every respect qualified for the office of a tutor. He likewise added, by way of
eulogium, that he was a man of exemplary piety, and particularly zealous
