LIFE OF CAPTAIN AVERY

He was the son of _John Avery_, a victualler near _Plymouth_, in
_Devonshire_, who in a few years was grown as opulent in his purse as
in his body, by scoring two for one; and when he had so done, drinking
the most of the liquor himself. By which means, and having a handsome
wife, who knew her business as well as if she had been brought up to
it from a child (which, indeed, she mostly was, her mother keeping the
House before she married _Mr. Avery_), they soon became very rich and
very able to give credit to a whole ship's crew upon their tickets,
which in those days were sold for less than half their value.

Having but one child (afterwards the Captain), they at first resolved
to bring him up a scholar, that he might advance the dignity of the
family. But instead of learning his book, he was taught by such
companions that he could soon swear to every point of his compass,
which was a very diverting scene for the Boatswain and his crew, who
were then drinking in the kitchen, having just received ten pounds
apiece short allowance money on board the _Revenge_, every farthing of
which they spent before leaving the house.

But as soon as their money was spent, they were all like to have been
imprisoned by their Landlady for a riot, as she called it, so they
were soon glad to sheer off, and he thought himself happiest that
could get first aboard. Indeed, it would have been happy for them if
they had, for the ship was unmoored and gone to sea; which put the
Boatswain and his crew swearing in earnest, and not knowing what to
do, they resolved to return to their Landlady, _Mrs. Avery_, at "the
Sign of the _Defiance_." But she shut them out of doors, calling them
a parcel of beggarly rascals, and swearing that if they would not go
from the door she would send for the Constable; and notwithstanding
all the entreaties and tears of her only son, who was then about six
years of age, she could not be prevailed upon to let them in, so they
were obliged to stroll about the street all night. In the morning,
spying the ship at anchor, being driven back by contrary winds, they
resolved to make the best of their way aboard; but on the way, whom
should they meet but young _Avery_, who had no sooner seen them, but
he cried after them. "Zounds," says the Boatswain, "let's take the
young dog aboard, and his mother shall soon be glad to adjust the
reckoning more to our satisfaction before she shall have her son."