 consent,
assuring him, that had I been as well acquainted with his principles formerly as
I was now, he never should have had an opportunity to make that request. - And
thus we parted.
    On my return, I met my old comrade 'squire Gawky, whom his father had sent,
some time ago, to town, for his improvement in writing, dancing, fencing; and to
see the world. As I had lived with him, since his arrival, on the footing of our
old intimacy, I made no scruple of informing him of the lowness of my
circumstances, and asking a small supply of money, to answer my present expence;
upon which he pulled out an handful of half-pence with a shilling or two among
them, and swore that was all he had to keep his pocket till next quarter day;
having lost the greatest part of his allowance the night before at billiards.
Though this might very well be true, I was extremely mortified at his
indifference; for he neither discovered any sympathy for my mishap, nor desire
of alleviating my distress; and accordingly, I left him without uttering one
word. But when I afterwards understood, that he was the person who had formerly
betrayed me to the malice of my cousins, to whom likewise he had carried the
tidings of my forlorn situation, which afforded them great matter of triumph and
exultation, I determined with myself to call him to a severe account; for which
purpose, I borrowed a sword, and wrote a challenge, desiring him to meet me at a
certain time and place, that I might have an opportunity of punishing his
perfidy, at the expence of his blood. - He accepted the invitation, and I betook
myself to the field, though not without feeling considerable repugnance to the
combat, which frequently attacked me in cold sweats by the way; - but the desire
of revenge, the shame of retracting, and hope of conquest, conspired to repel
these unmanly symptoms of fear; and I appeared on the plain with a good grace:
there I waited an hour beyond the time appointed, and was not ill pleased to
find he had no mind to meet me; because now I should have an opportunity of
exposing his cowardice, displaying my own courage, and of beating him soundly
wheresoever I should find him, without any dread of the consequence. - Elevated
with these suggestions, which entirely banished all thoughts of my deplorable
condition, I went directly to Gawky's lodgings, where I was informed of his
precipitate retreat, he having set out for the country in less than an
