the captain and his lady were at loggerheads.

CHAPTER XII

Captain Weazel challenges Strap, who declines the Combat--an Affair
between the Captain and me--the Usurer is fain to give Miss Jenny five
Guineas for a Release--we are in Danger of losing a Meal--the Behaviour
of Weazel, Jenny, and Joey, on that Occasion--an Account of Captain
Weazel and his Lady--the Captain's Courage tried--Isaac's mirth at the
Captain's Expense

Next morning I agreed to give the master of the waggon ten shillings for
my passage to London, provided Strap should be allowed to take my place
when I should be disposed to walk. At the same time I desired him to
appease the incensed captain, who had entered the kitchen with a drawn
sword in his hand, and threatened with many oaths to sacrifice the
villain who attempted to violate his bed; but it was to no purpose for
the master to explain the mistake, and assure him of the poor lad's
innocence, who stood trembling behind me all the while: the more
submission that appeared in Strap, the more implacable seemed the
resentment of Weazel, who swore he must either fight him or he would
instantly put him to death. I was extremely provoked at this insolence,
and told him, it could not be supposed that a poor barber lad would
engage a man of the sword at his own weapon; but I was persuaded he
would wrestle or box with him. To which proposal Strap immediately gave
assent, by saying, "he would box with him for a guinea." Weazel replied
with a look of disdain, that it was beneath any gentleman of his
character to fight like a porter, or even to put himself on a footing,
in any respect, with such a fellow as Strap. "Odds bodikins!" cries
Joey, "sure, coptain, yaw would not commit moorder! Here's a poor lad
that is willing to make atonement for his offence; and an that woan't
satisfie yaw, offers to fight yaw fairly. And yaw woan't box, I dare
say, he will coodgel with yaw. Woan't yaw, my lad?" Strap, after
some hesitation, answered, "Yes, yes, I'll cudgel with him." But this
expedient being also rejected by the captain, I began to smell his
character, and, tipping Strap the wink, told the captain that I had
always heard it said, the person who receives a challenge should have
the choice of the weapons; this therefore being the rule in point of
honour, I would venture to promise on the head of my companion, that he
would even fight Captain Weazel at sharps; but it should be with
such sharps as Strap