 and unable to contain the emotions
of his soul any longer, burst into tears, and wept aloud. - Moved at the
spectacle, I left him to his repose, and when my uncle returned in the morning,
represented his character in such a favourable light, that the honest seaman was
affected with his distress, and determined to follow my example, in presenting
him with five pieces more: Upon which, that I might save him some confusion, I
advised Mr. Bowling to inclose it in a letter to be delivered by Strap, after we
should be gone.
    This was accordingly done. I took a formal leave of all my acquaintance in
the jail, and just as I was about to step into a hackney-coach at the gate,
Jackson calling me, I returned, and he asked me in a whisper, if I could lend
him a shilling! His demand being so moderate, and in all likelihood, the last he
would make upon me, I slipt a guinea into his hand, which he no sooner
perceived, than he cried, »O Jesus! a guinea!« then laying hold of a button of
my coat, he broke out into an immoderate fit of laughter; and when his
convulsion was ended, told me, I was an honest fellow, and let me go. - The
coachman was ordered to drive to Mr. Bowling's lodgings, where, when we arrived,
he entered into a serious discourse with me, on the subject of my situation, and
proposed that I should sail with him in quality of his Surgeon; in which case,
he would put me on a method of getting a fortune in a few years, by my own
industry; and assured me, that I might expect to inherit all that he should die
possessed of, provided I should survive him. - Though I was penetrated with a
sense of his generosity, I was startled at a proposal that offered violence to
my love, and signified my sentiments on that head, which he did not seem to
relish; but observed that love was the fruit of idleness, that when once I
should be employed in business, and my mind engaged in making money, I would be
no more troubled with these silly notions, which none but your fair-weather
Jacks, who have nothing but their pleasure to mind, ought to entertain. - I was
piqued at this insinuation, which I looked upon as a reproach, and without
giving myself time to deliberate, accepted his offer. - He was overjoyed at my
compliance, carried me immediately to his chief owner,
