 that
rendered it impossible to serve him any other way.
    In consequence of these insinuations, it was that same day rumoured about
the Fleet, that Mr. Pickle was an unhappy gentleman disordered in his
understanding, and that the lieutenant was his near relation, who had subjected
himself to the inconvenience of living in a jail, with the sole view of keeping
a strict eye over his conduct. This report, however, did not reach the ears of
our hero till next day, when he sent one of the runners of the Fleet, who
attended him, to bespeak and pay for a couple of pullets, and something else,
for dinner, to which he had already invited his friend Hatchway, in hope of
being able to persuade him to retire into the country, after he had undergone a
whole day's mortification in the place. The messenger returned with an
assurance, that the dinner should be made ready according to his directions, and
restored the money, observing that his kinsman had paid for what was bespoke.
    Peregrine was equally surprized and disgusted at this information, and
resolved to chide the lieutenant severely, for his unseasonable treat, which he
considered as a thing repugnant to his reputation. Mean while, he dispatched his
attendant for wine to the coffee-house, and finding his credit bolstered up in
that place by the same means, was enraged at the presumption of Jack's
friendship, and questioned the valet about it, with such manifestation of
displeasure, that the fellow, afraid of disobliging such a good master, frankly
communicated the story which was circulated at his expence. The young gentleman
was so much incensed at this piece of intelligence, that he wrote a bitter
expostulation to the lieutenant, wherein he not only retracted his invitation,
but declared that he would never converse with him, while he should remain
within the place.
    Having thus obeyed the dictates of his anger, he gave notice to the cook,
that he should not have occasion for what was ordered; and repairing to the
coffee-house, told the landlord, that whereas he understood the stranger with
the wooden leg had prepossessed him and others with ridiculous notions, tending
to bring the sanity of his intellects in question; and, to confirm this
imputation, had, under the pretence of consanguinity, undertaken to defray his
expences; he could not help (in justice to himself) declaring, that the lame
person was, in reality, the madman, who had given his keepers the slip; that,
therefore, he (the landlord) would not find his account in complying with his
orders, and encouraging
