rrow, and often sat with me
whole hours without speaking, uttering sigh for sigh, and shedding tear
for tear. This fellowship increased our distemper; he became incapable
of business, and was discarded by his master; while I, seeing my money
melt away without any certainty of deliverance, and, in short, all
my hopes frustrated, grew negligent of life, lost all appetite, and
degenerated into such a sloven that during the space of three months
I was neither washed, shifted, nor shaved; so that my face, rendered
meagre with abstinence, was obscured with dirt, and overshadowed with
hair, and my whole appearance squalid and even frightful; when, one day,
Strap brought me notice, that there was a man below who wanted to speak
with me. Roused at this intelligence, and in full hopes of receiving a
letter from the dear object of my love, I ran downstairs with the utmost
precipitation. And found to my infinite surprise my generous uncle, Mr.
Bowling! Transported at the sight, I sprang forward to embrace him.
Upon which he started aside with great agility, drew his hanger, and put
himself upon his guard, crying, "Avast, brother, avast! Sheer off. Yo
ho! you turnkey, why don't you keep a better look out? Here's one of
your crazy prisoners broke from his lashings, I suppose." I could not
help laughing heartily at his mistake; but this I soon rectified by my
voice, which he instantly recollected, and shook me by the hand with
great affection, testifying his concern at seeing me in such a miserable
condition.

I conducted him to my apartment, where, in presence of Strap, whom I
introduced to him as one of my best friends, he gave me to understand,
that he was just arrived from the Coast Of Guinea, after having made a
pretty successful voyage, in which he had acted as mate, until the ship
was attacked by a French privateer, that the captain being killed during
the engagement, he had taken the command, and was so fortunate as to
sink the enemy; after which exploit he fell in with a merchant ship from
Martinico, laden with sugar, indigo and some silver and by virtue of his
letter of marque, attacked, took, and carried her safe into Kinsale in
Ireland, where she was condemned as a lawful prize; by which means he
had not only got a pretty sum of money, but also acquired the favour of
his owners, who had already conferred upon him the command of a large
ship, mounted with twenty nine-pounders, ready to sail upon a very
advantageous voyage,