dozen times, and all for a few apples not worth
twopence."

"All very true, my good man," replied Jack; "but you forget that I, as a
philosopher, was defending the rights of man."

"Well, I never knew before that a lad who stole apples was called a
philosopher--we calls it petty larceny in the indictments; and as for
your rights of man, I cannot see how they can be defended by doing
what's wrong."

"You do not comprehend the matter, farmer."

"No, I don't--and I be too old to learn, Master Easy. All I have to say
is this, you are welcome to all the apples in the orchard if you please,
and if you prefers, as it seems you do, to steal them, instead of asking
for them, which I only can account for by the reason that they say, that
`stolen fruit be sweetest,' I've only to say that I shall give orders
that you be not interfered with. My chaise be at the door, Master Easy,
and the man will drive you to your father's--make my compliments to him,
and say that I'm very sorry that you tumbled into our well."

As Jack was much more inclined for bed than argument, he wished the
farmer good-night, and allowed himself to be driven home.

The pain from the sting of the bees, now that his circulation had fully
returned, was so great, that he was not sorry to find Dr Middleton
taking his tea with his father and mother. Jack merely said that he had
been so unfortunate as to upset a hive, and had been severely stung. He
deferred the whole story till another opportunity. Dr Middleton
prescribed for Jack, but on taking his hand found that he was in a high
fever, which, after the events of the day, was not to be wondered at.
Jack was bled, and kept his bed for a week, by which time he was
restored; but during that time Jack had been thinking very seriously,
and had made up his mind.

But we must explain a circumstance which had occurred, which was
probably the cause of Jack's decision. When Jack returned on the
evening in question, he found seated with his father and Dr Middleton,
a Captain Wilson, a sort of cousin to the family, who but occasionally
paid them a visit, for he lived at some distance; and having a wife and
large family, with nothing but his half-pay for their support, he could
not afford to expend even shoe-leather in compliments. The object of
this visit on the part of Captain Wilson was to request the aid of Mr
Easy. He had succeeded in obtaining his appointment to a sloop of war
(for he was in the king's se