-creatures, certain it is our confederates entertained such a large
proportion of it, that not satisfied with the pranks they had already played,
they still persecuted the commodore without ceasing. In the course of his own
history, the particulars of which he delighted to recount, he had often
rehearsed an adventure of deer-stealing, in which (during the unthinking
impetuosity of his youth) he had been unfortunately concerned. Far from
succeeding in that achievement, he and his associates had (it seems) been made
prisoners, after an obstinate engagement with the keepers, and carried before a
neighbouring justice of the peace, who used Trunnion with great indignity, and
with his companions committed him to jail.
    His own relations, and in particular an uncle on whom he chiefly depended,
treated him during his confinement with great rigour and inhumanity, and
absolutely refused to interpose his influence in his behalf, unless he would
sign a writing, obliging himself to go to sea within thirty days after his
release, under the penalty of being proceeded against as a felon. The
alternative was either to undergo this voluntary exile, or remain in prison
disowned and deserted by every body, and after all suffer an ignominious trial,
that might end in a sentence of transportation for life. He therefore, without
much hesitation, embraced the proposal of his kinsman, and (as he observed) was
in less than a month after his discharge turned adrift to the mercy of the wind
and waves.
    Since that period he had never maintained any correspondence with his
relations, all of whom had concurred in sending him off; nor would he ever pay
the least regard to the humiliations and supplications of some among them, who
had prostrated themselves before him, on the advancement of his fortune: but he
retained a most inveterate resentment for his uncle, who was still in being,
tho' extremely old and infirm, and frequently mentioned his name with all the
bitterness of revenge.
    Perry being perfectly well acquainted with the particulars of this story,
which he had heard so often repeated, proposed to Hatchway, that a person should
be hired to introduce himself to the commodore, with a supposititious letter of
recommendation from this detested kinsman; an imposition that, in all
likelihood, would afford abundance of diversion.
    The lieutenant relished the scheme, and young Pickle having composed an
epistle for the occasion, the exciseman of the parish, a fellow of great
impudence and some humour, in whom Hatchway could confide, undertook to
transcribe and deliver it with his own hand, and also personate the man in whose
favour it was feigned to be writ. He
