he had sent him to school, but it had cost him nothing, for he had never
been at one shilling expense to furnish him with food, raiment, books,
or other necessaries; so that it was not much to be wondered at, if
the boy made small progress; and yet whoever told him so was a lying,
lubberly rascal, and deserved to be keel-haul'd; for thof he (the
lieutenant) did not understand those matters himself, he was well
informed as how Rory was the best scholar of his age in all the country;
the truth of which he would maintain, by laying a wager of his whole
half-year's pay on the boy's head--with these words he pulled out his
purse, and challenged the company: "Neither is he predicted to vice, as
you affirm, but rather, left like a wreck, d'ye see, at the mercy of the
wind and weather, by your neglect, old gentleman. As for what happened
to your chaplain, I am only sorry that he did not knock out the
scoundrel's brains instead of his teeth. By the Lord, if ever I come up
with him, he had better be in Greenland, that's all. Thank you for your
courteous offer of binding the lad apprentice to a tradesman. I suppose
you would make a tailor of him--would you? I had rather see him hang'd,
d'ye see. Come along, Rory, I perceive how the land lies, my boy--let's
tack about, i'faith--while I have a shilling you shan't want a tester.
B'we, old gentleman; you're bound for the other world, but I believe
damnably ill-provided for the voyage." Thus ended our visit; and we
returned to the village, my uncle muttering curses all the way against
the old shark and the young fry that surrounded him.

CHAPTER IV

My Grandfather makes his Will--our second Visit--he Dies--his Will is
read in Presence of all his living Descendants--the Disappointment of my
female Cousins--my Uncle's Behaviour

A few weeks after our first visit, we were informed that the old judge,
at the end of a fit of thoughtfulness, which lasted three days, had sent
for a notary and made his will; that the distemper had mounted from his
legs to his stomach, and, being conscious of his approaching end, he had
desired to see all his descendants without exception. In obedience to
this summons, my uncle set out with me a second time, to receive the
last benediction of my grandfather: often repeating by the road, "Ey,
ey, we have brought up the old hulk at last. You shall see--you shall
see the effect of my admonition," When we entered his chamber, which was
crowded with his