the place of assignation, where several pews were
demolished, and divers persons almost pressed to death, by the eagerness
of the crowd that broke in to see the ceremony performed. Thus arrived
at the altar, and the priest in attendance, they waited a whole
half-hour for the commodore, at whose slowness they began to be under
some apprehension, and accordingly dismissed a servant to quicken his
pace. The valet having ridden something more than a mile, espied the
whole troop disposed in a long field, crossing the road obliquely, and
headed by the bridegroom and his friend Hatchway, who, finding himself
hindered by a hedge from proceeding farther in the same direction, fired
a pistol, and stood over to the other side, making an obtuse angle with
the line of his former course; and the rest of the squadron followed his
example, keeping always in the rear of each other, like a flight of wild
geese.

Surprised at this strange method of journeying, the messenger came up,
and told the commodore that his lady and her company expected him in the
church, where they had tarried a considerable time, and were beginning
to be very uneasy at his delay, and therefore desired he would proceed
with more expedition. To this message Mr. Trunnion replied, "Hark ye,
brother, don't you see we make all possible speed? go back, and tell
those who sent you, that the wind has shifted since we weighed anchor,
and that we are obliged to make very short trips in tacking, by reason
of the narrowness of the channel; and that as we be within six points
of the wind, they must make some allowance for variation and
leeway."--"Lord, sir!" said the valet, "what occasion have you to go
zig-zag in that manner? Do but clap spurs to your horses, and ride
straight forward, and I'll engage yea shall be at the church-porch
in less than a quarter of an hour."-"What? right in the wind's eye?"
answered the commodore; "ahey! brother, where did you learn your
navigation? Hawser Trunnion is not to be taught at this time of day how
to lie his course, or keep his own reckoning. And as for you, brother,
you best know the trim of your own frigate."

The courier, finding he had to do with people who would not be easily
persuaded out of their own opinions, returned to the temple, and made a
report of what he had seen and heard, to the no small consolation of
the bride, who had begun to discover some signs of disquiet. Composed,
however, by this piece of intelligence, she exer