ed under the escort of the lawyer, Sir
Launcelot assured them he should wait on them in the evening at the house
of Dr. Kawdle, whither they immediately directed their course. Our hero,
who remained with the constable and his gang, inquired for Mr. Bernard
Shackle, upon whose person he intended to serve a writ of conspiracy,
over and above a prosecution for robbery, in consequence of his having
disencumbered the knight of his money and other effects, on the first
night of his confinement. Mr. Shackle had discretion enough to avoid
this encounter, and even to anticipate the indictment for felony, by
directing one of his servants to restore the cash and papers, which our
adventurer accordingly received before he quitted the house.

In the prosecution of his search after Shackle, he chanced to enter the
chamber of the bard, whom he found in dishabille, writing at a table,
with a bandage over one eye, and his head covered with a nightcap of
baize. The knight, having made an apology for this intrusion, desired
to know if he could be of any service to Mr. Distich, as he was now
at liberty to use the little influence he had for the relief of his
fellow-sufferers.--The poet having eyed him for some time askance, "I
told you," said he, "your stay in this place would be of short duration.
--I have sustained a small disaster on my left eye, from the hands of a
rascally cordwainer, who pretends to believe himself the King of Prussia,
and I am now in the very act of galling his majesty with keen iambics.--
If you can help me to a roll of tobacco and a bottle of geneva, so;--if
you are not so inclined, your humble servant, I shall share in the joy of
your deliverance."

The knight declined gratifying him in these particulars, which he
apprehended might be prejudicial to his health, but offered his
assistance in redressing his grievances, provided he laboured under any
cruel treatment or inconvenience. "I comprehend the full extent of your
generosity," replied the satirist; "you are willing to assist me in
everything, except the only circumstances in which assistance is
required--God b'w'ye--If you see Ben Bullock, tell him I wish he would
not dedicate any more of his works to me.--D--n the fellow, he has
changed his note, and begins to snivel.--For my part, I stick to my
former maxim, defy all the world, and will die hard, even if death should
be preceded by damnation."

The knight, finding him incorrigible, left him to the sle