eady with all Expedition; mean
while they entertain'd one another, in a Room as distant from the
Officers as the House would permit: _Miles_ relating to his new Friend
all his Misfortunes Abroad, but still disguising the true Occasion of
his leaving _England_. Something more than an Hour after, one of the
Drawers came to let 'em know, that Supper was just going to be serv'd
up. They went then directly to the Officers, whom they found all
together, with two or three Gentlemen more of their Acquaintance: They
all saluted the Gentleman who had invited 'em first, and then
complimented _Miles_, whom they mistook for another Friend of the
Gentleman's that gave 'em the Invitation; not in the least imagining
that it was _Tom Lostall_. When they were all sat, the Captain ask'd,
Where is our trusty and well-beloved Friend Mr. _Thomas Lostall_? Most
honoured Captain! (reply'd _Miles_) I am here, most humbly at your
Honour's Service, and all my other noble Officers. Ha! _Tom_! (cry'd the
Lieutenant) I thought indeed when thou first cam'st in, that I should
have seen that hardy Face of thine before. Face, Hands, Body, and Heart
and all, are at your, all your Honours Service, as long as I live. We
doubt it not, dear _Tom_! (return'd his Officers, unanimously.) Come,
noble Gentlemen! (interrupted _Miles's_ Friend) Supper is here, let us
fall to: I doubt not that after Supper I shall surprise you farther.
They then fell to eating heartily; and after the Table was clear'd they
drank merrily: At last, after the King's, Queen's, Duke's, and all the
Royal Family's, and the Officers Healths, his Friend begg'd that he
might begin a Health to _Tom Lostall_; which was carry'd about very
heartily; every one had a good Word for him, one commending his Bravery,
another, his ready Obedience; and a third, his Knowledge in material
Discipline, _&c._ 'till at length it grew late, their Stomachs grew
heavy, and their Heads light; when the Gentleman, _Miles's_ Friend,
calling for a Bill, he found it amounted to seven Pounds ten Shillings,
odd Pence, which he whisper'd _Tom Lostall_ to pay; who was in a Manner
Thunder-struck at so strange a Sound; but, recollecting himself, he
return'd, That if his Friend pleas'd, he would leave his Cloak, and any
Thing else, 'till the House were farther satisfy'd: T'other said, He was
sure _Miles_ had Money enough about him to discharge two such Bills: To
which _Miles_ reply'd, That if he had any Money about him, 'twas n