two hours at least before Trunnion used to get up, and gave Pipes,
who admitted him, to understand, that he had a letter from his
master, which he was ordered to deliver to none but the commodore
himself. This message was no sooner communicated, than the
indignant chief (who had been waked for the purpose) began to curse
the messenger for breaking his rest, and swore he would not budge
till his usual time of turning out. This resolution being conveyed
to the stranger, he desired the carrier to go back and tell him, he
had such joyful tidings to impart, that he was sure the commodore
would think himself amply rewarded for his trouble, even if he had
been raised from the grave to receive them.

This assurance, flattering as it was, would not have been powerful
enough to persuade him, had it not been assisted with the exhortations
of his spouse, which never failed to influence his conduct. He
therefore crept out of bed, though not without great repugnance;
and wrapping himself in his morning gown, was supported down-stairs,
rubbing his eye, yawning fearfully, and grumbling in the way. As
soon as he popped his head into the parlour, the supposed stranger
made divers awkward bows, and with a grinning aspect accosted him
in these words: "Your most humble servant, most noble commodore!
I hope you are in good health; you look pure and hearty; and if it
was not for that misfortune of your eye, one would not desire to
see a more pleasant countenance in a summer's day. Sure as I am a
living soul, one would take you to be on this side of threescore.
Lord help us, I should have known you to be a Trunnion, if I had
met with one in the midst of Salisbury Plain, as the saying is."

The commodore, who was not at all in the humour of relishing such
an impertinent preamble, interrupted him in this place, saying,